Bullying stops teens from being who they want to be, prevents them from expressing themselves freely, and might even make them feel unsafe. Bullying can happen anywhere, both in person and online. In this age of constant connectivity, and understanding the value teens place on their social networks, it’s only fitting to try and better reach them digitally.

It’s no surprise that teens are highly visual, socially oriented, and always “connected.” They’re constantly on their phones and social networks sharing photos, providing encouragement to their friends, and communicating in a variety of ways. We saw this as an area where StopBullying.gov could grow and help reach teens where they are.

We are excited to announce the launch of our new... Continue Reading

Most experts acknowledge that bullying is a serious problem that has negative consequences for both perpetrators and victims. However, we know very little about how bullying early in life affects future behaviors.

Several years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began a partnership with researchers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign to better understand how bullying may lead to sexual violence. When we say “sexual violence,” we are talking about one specific type, sexual harassment, which does not include forcible acts like rape. Continue Reading

After a survey found that students didn’t feel safe in their Pueblo, Colorado community, the Safe Haven for Pueblo Bullying Victims Project stepped in to make a difference.

The Safe Schools/Healthy Students group got help from more than 700 students to design posters denouncing bullying. They then reached out to business owners to hang the posters in their windows, to show their community support for the project. The posters alert students that these businesses will provide a refuge for them if they are being bullied or feel unsafe. The business owners agreed to help youth arrange for someone to pick up any students who are being bullied and to let them wait there until a safe ride arrives. Continue Reading

Recent media publicity around suicides by youth who were bullied by their peers has led many to assume that bullying often leads directly to suicide. Although youth who are involved in bullying are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide than those who are not involved in bullying, research indicates that other risk factors play a larger role in suicidal behavior.

What do we know about suicide and its causes? Continue Reading

Bullying can happen anywhere. It can happen in person, online, or behind your back. But there are some groups that are at higher risk.

Erin Reiney is the Director of Injury and Violence Prevention at the Health Resources and Service’s Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). She leads HRSA’s Bullying Prevention efforts, and serves as project officer for the MCHB Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) Resource Center Consortium and the Children’s Safety Network National Resource Center.... Continue Reading