GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado (KKCO) – Safe2Tell received 28,218 reports during the 2023-2024 school year, a 25% increase over the previous year.
Safe2Tell was introduced in 2004. It is a free and anonymous reporting service for young people. After a report is received, Safe2Tell checks it and, if necessary, notifies the school administration or the police.
The most commonly cited problems are suicide, cyberbullying and welfare checks.
“Young people are facing unprecedented pressures, much of which is related to social media, where we know a lot of online bullying takes place. Many of the social media platforms are pulling people into dark holes and alerting them all night long about what’s happening, so kids can’t sleep. That’s harmful to our kids,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who oversees the program.
During the pandemic, the number of reports has decreased but has steadily increased.
Weiser adds that the next goal is to make Safe2Tell as unintimidating as possible.
“We want to continue to work to be as educated as possible about trauma when young people are suffering. We want to make sure we don’t involve law enforcement unnecessarily. We want to make sure we support people,” Weiser said.
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