37.6 Evaluating the Benefit and Challenges of SafeUT With Reducing Bullying in Utah Schools

Abstract

Bullying is prevalent in US schools and contributes to mental health problems, but only one-third of bullying victims report it. One barrier to reporting is lack of access to a reporting method. SafeUT is a free text-messaging application available throughout Utah. In addition to 24/7 crisis-line features, SafeUT allows users to submit confidential tips to school administrators about bullying, school threats, or violence. SafeUT is promoted within Utah schools, and as of March 2019, all public middle and high schools in Utah had distributed it. We report results of a survey designed to assess rates of bullying reporting in Utah schools and to evaluate the effect of SafeUT on the rate of bullying reports. A survey was distributed to schools enrolled in SafeUT. Administrators were provided a link with a parental consent and a student survey and were asked to email it to parents. Surveys were anonymous. Students were compensated for survey completion. A total of 67 schools in 12 Utah counties were enrolled, representing 50,660 students; 0.6% (n = 304) completed a survey. Forty-four percent of participants reported being bullied at least once during the 2019-2020 academic year. Of those, 4% (6) said they used SafeUT to report it, while 92% (123) reported that they did not report it at all. Students who were bullied described a variety of reasons for not using SafeUT to make reports: 53% did not know about SafeUT, 28% did not think it would be helpful, 7% had concerns but did not want to seek help from SafeUT, 5% found other help, 3% did not have a smartphone, and 3% did not have access to the app when needed. Of all respondents, 26 students reported having submitted a tip for any reason, and of those, 30.7% (8) reported having submitted a tip related to bullying. Only 11% of participants had ever used SafeUT for any reason. Our findings highlight the difficulties in assisting students who are bullied. Low reporting rates here are consistent with other settings. Although SafeUT aims to address barriers to reporting, it is being underutilized in Utah schools. Findings were limited by the low response number.