NEWBURGH, IN (WFIE) -
Castle High School is using technology to make it easier for students and parents to report things like threats and bullying.
Technology has made it easier for students to bully others through the Internet, it's called cyber bulling.
But the staff at Castle High School is fighting fire with fire. Students and parents can now use that very technology in which the bullying starts, to report it to the school.
One in three teens say they've been bullied and more than 150,000 students miss school everyday in fear of being bullied.
Castle High School is working to end the intimidation.
"This initiative helps people, it gives people and avenue to maybe report possible threats, bullying activities or other things in the school that maybe they felt uncomfortable reporting in the past," said Castle principal Andy Byers.
Parents and students can now anonymously report things like harassment, drugs, vandalism or any other safety issue.
The process is simple. To report a tip you can call, text, email or log on to the safe schools alert website.
"We're going to take and look at each and every one of them and there will be another feature on there that's nice, we will be able to report back so the folks that do support a tip, know we're working on it," Byers said.
Nearly 60% of teenagers say they wouldn't report bullying, if they could not do so anonymously, a facet of the program that appeals to both the staff and students.
"Information is sent directly to us," said Byers. "It's in anonymous form so we can take that information and investigate it, so people maybe feel less fearful about making that report."
"If it's anonymous, it's a lot easier and you have more confidence about it and you'll feel better because you know you're doing the right thing," said student Jessica Weir.
14 News also spoke with several parents Thursday afternoon, who said they're happy to see an easy way to report tips and that they wouldn't hesitate to call in because they can do so with true anonymity.
You can take the following steps to sign up for this program:
1. Phone: 1-855-4ALERT1, ext. 1008
2. Text: Text #1008 @tip + your tip to (513) 655-7173
3. Email: tips@warrick-in.safeschoolsalert.com
4. Web: warrick-in.safeschoolsalert.com
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
You can send in tips with a text message, email, phone call and online form.
