A safe school environment is one free from bullying, violence, and substance use and one which promotes physical, mental, and behavioral health. Behavioral health plays an important role in the safety and overall climate of a school. When students are socially, emotionally, and mentally well, and students feel safe, they can better focus on learning, leading to increased academic achievement.

A 2013 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that stress among teenagers was extremely common. Of those surveyed, 83% said school was a significant or somewhat significant source of stress. A 2018 APA survey found that respondents aged 15 to 21 reported feeling high levels of stress regarding social and safety issues, including gun violence and school shootings, climate change, rising suicide rates, sexual harassment, and treatment of immigrants.

In addition to stress, mental illness is prevalent; one in five children experiences a mental health disorder. Unfortunately, many of these children do not receive the treatment they need due to the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Examples of stigmas are that a behavioral health diagnosis means a person is “crazy,” unpredictable, or violent, or that a person will be unable to get a job, succeed in school, have friends, or have a family of their own. Parents may be hesitant, or refuse, to seek help for their child due to fears about how their child may be treated, or that others will look at them differently because of their child having a behavioral health diagnosis. This leads to further stigma, isolation, and resistance toward seeking help. Cultural beliefs and practices can also impact a person’s views towards mental illness and treatment.

To be clear, having a behavioral health diagnosis does not mean that a person is more likely to be violent towards others or that they will not be successful in life. There are millions of people living in the U.S. who have a behavioral health diagnosis, and they are living happy, fulfilling lives, and have no history of violence.

It is important to view school safety as a complex issue. Untreated mental illness is correlated with poorer school performance, increased risk for substance use, and in certain specific cases, an increased risk for violence towards self or others. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), untreated children are twice as likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, 50% of untreated children will drop out of high school, and rates of incarceration and risk for suicide also increase.

Tragedies such as the Santa Fe, Texas High School shooting, natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need for, and importance of, supporting students’ mental and behavioral health. Recent legislation improves student access to supports and services and provides measures to improve school safety and promote mental health.

© 2013-2016 Texas School Safety Center, all rights reserved.

Bullying is a serious issue among children and adolescents, with long-lasting impacts. Students who experience bullying, bias, and hate are more likely to feel unsafe, affecting school climate, safety, academic performance, and attendance. Psychological effects include depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and coping through self-harm or substance use. Students with certain diagnoses or disabilities may be more at risk, as they may not understand what's happening or be able to report it.

What is Bullying?

Bullying, including cyberbullying, is defined by law as:

• One significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student.

• Exploiting an imbalance of power, such as physical strength, popularity, or access to embarrassing information.

• Engaging in written or verbal expression, through electronic means, or physical conduct.

The action or threat:

• Causes physical harm or reasonable fear of harm to a student or their property.

• Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment.

• Causes substantial disruption of a student's education or school operations.

• Infringes on a student's rights at school.

Cyberbullying can occur anywhere—at home, school, or in the community—and at any time. It can take place before or after school hours, and the law includes bullying that occurs:

• At the site of a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property.

• On a school bus or vehicle used for transportation to or from school or a school-sponsored activity.

• Off school property, but it interferes with a student's education or disrupts the operation of a classroom or school activity.

What is Hazing?

Texas Education Code defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, by one or more people, toward a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:

• Is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.

• Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, physical activity, or other similar activity that causes the student an unreasonable risk of harm affecting their mental or physical health or safety.

• Involves eating, drinking, or substance use that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or affects their mental or physical health or safety.

• Is any activity that makes the student do something illegal.

• Involves making a student use drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication.

Any student who engages in hazing, including encouraging, planning, participating, or failing to report it, can be found guilty of criminal conduct. A person, including a parent or teacher, can be guilty of hazing even if they only aid another or recklessly permit it to occur.

What Are Districts Required to Do?

The Safe and Supportive School Program (SSSP), created by the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019, aims to approach school safety comprehensively, utilizing school mental health and safety best practices to achieve physical and psychological safety.

Every Texas public school must be served by a safe and supportive school program team responsible for conducting behavioral threat assessments. The team analyzes harmful, threatening, and violent behavior, including bullying, to assess threat and risk levels and determine appropriate interventions.

Each school district's board of trustees must have a bullying policy and procedures that include:

• Prohibiting bullying of a student.

• Prohibiting retaliation against a victim, witness, or anyone else who provides information regarding a bullying incident.

• Earlier parental or guardian notification regarding bullying incidents.

• Including actions a student should take to get help and intervention.

• Outlining available counseling options for students involved in bullying.

• Creating procedures for reporting bullying, including anonymous reporting.

• Investigating reports of bullying.

• Determining whether the reported incident(s) occurred.

• Prohibiting disciplinary measures on a student who used reasonable self-defense in response to bullying.

Schools may expel or place in a disciplinary alternative education program any student who:

• Engages in bullying and encourages a student to attempt suicide.

• Incites violence through group bullying.

• Threatens to release, or releases, intimate visual material of a minor or a student who is aged 18 or older without that person's consent.

What Should I Know?

It's important to distinguish between rudeness, meanness, and bullying. Children can be rude or mean, but that is different from engaging in bullying behavior. This doesn't mean that being rude or mean is acceptable, but understanding the difference is crucial.

If your child tells you they are being bullied, let them know that you believe them, you're on their side, and you'll help them in whatever ways are necessary to stop the bullying. This may involve notifying the school, law enforcement, counselors, or the SSSP team. If the situation is an imminent threat to life or safety, notify the police and the school's SSSP team.

What Should My Child Know?

The best thing you can do for your child is to talk with them about the importance of acting with kindness and empathy towards others. Have regular conversations about what bullying and hazing are and the expectations you have for them, such as not engaging in bullying or hazing, and the consequences they will face if they engage in it.

Reassure your children that they can talk with you about anything, and that you're a team. Ensure they know the importance of reporting all instances of bullying and cyberbullying, and how to do so, including using their school's anonymous reporting system if they prefer.

When having these conversations, remember that the goal is to have an open dialogue, rather than a lecture, and it's best to have these conversations regularly.

Ask your child:

• If they have ever been a target of bullying. If yes, ask about whether they told anyone, and if it's still occurring.

• If they would feel comfortable coming to you if bullied or were a witness to bullying. If not, who would they go to?

• If they have ever been a target of hazing. If yes, ask about whether they told anyone and if it's still occurring.

• If they would feel comfortable coming to you if hazed or were a witness to hazing. If not, who would they go to?

• If they know what to do if they witness someone being a target of bullying, exhibiting bullying behavior, or making online threats.

• If they have ever witnessed cyberbullying. What did they do? How did they feel? What would they do if they were a target?

• If they have ever engaged in bullying or cyberbullying.

• If they know how to anonymously report.

• If they know how to intervene and be an "upstander."

What Does It Mean to Be an "Upstander"?

Witnesses to bullying who intervene are called "upstanders." Fifty-seven percent of the time, bullying stops within 10 seconds when an upstander intervenes. Role-play with your child about how they can intervene, either directly or indirectly, when they witness bullying. Indirect intervention includes telling a teacher, parent, or another trusted adult, or pulling the target of the bullying aside and saying, "I saw what she did. I'm so sorry that's happening. What can I do to help?", sitting with them at lunch, or walking with them to class. It also includes using the school's anonymous reporting system. The important thing for your child to understand is the importance of doing something, and not minimizing or ignoring what's happening.

How Do I Get Involved?

Be a partner with your child's school. You can take the David's Law anti-bullying pledge with your child, pledging not to use your devices as a weapon. You can also join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or start a Kindness campaign in your child's school. David's Legacy Foundation has additional ways you can get involved on their website.

School districts are required to have an anonymous reporting system available for students to report instances of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or other student safety concerns. Threat assessment procedures must now also provide confidentiality for a district employee reporting a potential threat. However, the district must maintain a record of the identity of the reporting staff. The threat assessment team and law enforcement will have access to the reporting staff’s identity as needed to investigate the reported threat.

Anonymous reporting provides a tool, whether through a website, application, or phone number, in which a person can report concerning behaviors without having to identify themselves as the reporter. As a best practice, districts are encouraged to provide multiple reporting mechanisms, including anonymous reporting options, to encourage people to report concerning behaviors such as bullying, talk of or posts on suicide or self-harm, dating violence, and other dangerous, threatening behaviors. This ensures that all safety concerns are reported.

Will I be notified if my child is involved in bullying?

Parental notification regarding bullying incidents is required by law. The parent (or guardian) of the victim or target of the bullying is to be notified on or before the 3rd business day after the reporting date (when the school is notified). The parent or guardian of the child who has allegedly bullied is to be notified within a reasonable amount of time.

Where can I find my school district’s anonymous reporting system, and the district’s policy and procedures on bullying?

The policy and procedures adopted by the board must be included annually in the district’s student handbook and in the district improvement plan. They must include:

• How to report an incident of bullying, including anonymous reporting procedures.

• Procedures for investigating reports of bullying.

• Procedures for determining whether the reported incident of bullying occurred.

The procedure for reporting bullying, including anonymous reporting, must be posted on the district's internet website.

School safety is a shared responsibility. Although your child may have fears about reporting school safety concerns, it is important to have conversations with your child about the importance of reporting. During these conversations, you can alleviate their fears and concerns by talking about the truth behind each fear. Children are often resistant to reporting peer incidents for the following reasons:

• They fear retaliation. Anonymous reporting exists for this reason. Anonymous reporting systems are truly anonymous.

• They do not want to be labeled “a snitch.” It is not “snitching” when you are asking for help for yourself or for others. Asking for help saves lives. Intervention takes place when it is needed, and it provides much-needed help and resources to those who need it. Tell your child that they may be the only person who can help, and the only way they can help is by telling someone.

• They falsely believe that reporting is betraying a friend’s trust. Teach your children to never promise confidentiality. If someone wants them to promise not to tell, and they are told something that may harm themselves or others, they must tell someone. Teach your child that they may be the only person who can help them, and they can help them by telling someone. They may save their life or someone else’s life by telling.

• They think someone else already has reported or will report it. The right thing to do is report it anyway. They will never know whether someone else has or will. Even if a peer says they have reported it, they may just be saying that.

• They do not believe anything will be done about it. There are procedures and laws in place to investigate reports. Sometimes it may appear like nothing is being done, but that is because school staff must abide by privacy rules. They did their part by reporting it.

• They do not believe it is their responsibility to report it. “It’s not my problem.” School safety and school climate is everyone’s responsibility. They may be the only person who can provide intervention before it is too late.

Children and adults must be educated and empowered to report concerning, dangerous behaviors so that prevention and intervention efforts can be utilized when they are needed.

If you are not sure about the reporting options provided by your child’s district or charter school, contact the main administrative office for specific, detailed information, as there is no single, specific mechanism required in Texas schools.

What Should My Child Know?

Each district should have behavior reporting procedures in place to report concerning behaviors. It is important for your child to know what the anonymous reporting system is, and how to use it. Speak with your child about the importance of reporting all student safety concerns. If they see or hear something that concerns them, makes them feel unsafe, or that is dangerous, they need to say something. Ensure that your child knows that the anonymous reporting system is truly anonymous, as your child may be hesitant to use it, falsely believing that their identity will be revealed.

The internet is an expansive resource that has become necessary for work, school, and daily life in our society. We are dependent on applications (apps), gaming consoles, and social media to meet many of our needs. This powerful resource also comes with potential and serious dangers, especially for children, including encountering inappropriate content, extortion, blackmail, identity theft, human and sex trafficking, kidnapping, cyberbullying, and harassment.

In addition to these dangers, every search, comment, purchase, picture, tweet, share, game, snap, like, and phone call is recorded in a person’s digital profile. All digital data is collected, stored, used, and sold to companies and stolen by criminals. Everything associated with a person’s name, cell number, email, and internet protocol (IP) address, is saved forever and cannot be erased. All information, despite deletion, is still stored somewhere on the internet or in a storage cloud. Incognito mode and anonymous apps can still track and record browsing and purchasing histories and online activity. Colleges and universities, the U.S. military, and potential employers look at a person’s current and previous social media and other online activity when determining acceptance or rejection.

While young people may be “digital natives,” having lived their whole lives with the widespread use of the internet, some parents may be “digital immigrants.” This does not mean you cannot educate, guide, monitor, and protect your children from the dangers that exist online. Research shows that brain development continues until a person’s mid-20s. The last part of the brain to fully develop is the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for impulse control, decision-making, problem-solving, and planning. The limbic system, which is the part of the brain responsible for reward seeking, sexual urges, and emotional responses, develops earlier and quicker. This means that it is more difficult for children and adolescents than it is for adults to identify and recognize some of the dangers that exist online. This emphasizes the importance of parents setting appropriate boundaries and limits to help their children make the best choices. Talk with your children on a regular basis about the importance of internet safety and digital citizenship.

What is Digital Citizenship?

School districts are now mandated by the State Board of Education to incorporate instruction in digital citizenship into the district’s curriculum, including information regarding the potential criminal consequences of cyberbullying. Digital citizenship is the responsible use of technology, including the appropriate action and interaction with others online.

Digital citizenship includes, but is not limited to:

• Media literacy, including determining whether information and internet sites are credible.

• Critical thinking, including evaluating whether content makes sense and understanding points of view.

• Education about laws, including the criminal consequences of cyberbullying. Behavior online can have long-term and serious consequences.

• Security and privacy, including internet bugs and viruses and safe and unsafe practices to protect privacy.

• Online etiquette, including understanding that social media is not the place to vent about people, school, or workplaces.

• Awareness of rights and responsibilities, including what to do if a student witnesses cyberbullying or inappropriate content. It can also include what to do if they end up in a situation and need help getting out of it.

How Can I Protect My Children?

The following suggestions are research-based, best practices to help protect your child from online dangers:

• Teach your children about internet safety and best practices, including the importance of security and privacy.

• Protect your children from inappropriate websites, content, games, and apps by preventing access to them. There are apps and settings which can do this for you. Online gaming and gaming consoles, including the Xbox, Switch, and Play Station provide the same dangers as cellphones and computers because of internet access and webcams.

• Watch for warning signs that may indicate that your child is getting into trouble online.

• Be aware of the dangers that exist on the internet and set a good example.

• Take an ongoing and active role in your child’s internet activities. Monitor their digital devices and online activity.

• Minimize or delay access to the internet, online games, and social media. There are cell phones with limited features: no internet browser, app store, or social media access.

Talk With Your Child About Technology

Have regular conversations with your child about technology and social media. Talk with your child in a curious and conversational way rather than in an interview format. Ask your child:

• What are your favorite websites, social media apps, and online games (such as Fortnite)? Why do you like them? What social media do your friends use?

• Do you have a hard time minimizing time spent online, with social media, or games?

• Have you ever witnessed cyberbullying? How did you feel? What would you do if you were a target? How would you be an “upstander”?

• Have you ever received an upsetting text message? What did you do?

• Do you use social media to vent? Do your friends?

• Would you feel comfortable coming to me if you are being bullied? If not, who would you go to?

• Do you know what to do if you witness someone being a target of bullying, exhibiting bullying behavior, or making online threats?

• Do you know about privacy settings? Ask them to show you.

• How do you determine what is safe to post?

Legislation Protecting Young People Online

Legislation passed in 2023 provides increased protection for minors from harmful and deceptive practices online, and parents and guardians with a better ability to protect their children’s online presence.

Digital service providers (DSP’s) socially connect users; allow users to create public profiles; or allow users to create or post content on message boards, chat rooms, landing pages, video channels, or main feeds. When a DSP has confirmed the identity and relationship of their minor child, they become a verified parent. A verified parent is allowed to supervise their child’s use of the digital service using tools the digital service provides. Verified parents are also allowed to submit a request to the DSP to review, download, and delete any personally identifiable information associated with their minor child.

How do DSP’s know when someone is a minor?

DSP’s, with certain exceptions, cannot allow users to create an account unless the person has registered their age. If the person registers their age as younger than 18 years of age, they are known to be a minor to the DSP. If a minor registers their age as being over 18, a verified parent can notify the DSP and they are now known to be a minor to the DSP.

DSP’s have requirements as it relates to known minors. Requirements include:

• Limiting the collection of personally identifiable information.

• Not allowing the minor to make purchases or engage in other financial transactions.

• Not sharing, disclosing, or selling the minors personally identifiable information.

• Not geolocating the minor.

• Not providing targeted advertisements to the minor.

• Developing and implementing a strategy to prevent exposure to material that promotes, glorifies, or facilitates suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, substance abuse, stalking, bullying, harassment, grooming, trafficking, child pornography, or other sexual exploitation or abuse.

• Creating and providing parental tools to supervise the known minor’s use of a digital service. Tools include, but aren’t limited to, controlling the minor’s privacy and account settings, and monitoring and limiting time spent using digital service.

• Making reasonable efforts to prevent advertisers from targeting known minors with advertisements that are unlawful for minors to use or engage in; for example, vapes.

• Making reasonable efforts to ensure algorithms do not interfere with the DSP’s responsibilities to minors.

• Using reasonable age verification methods to verify that anyone seeking access to content that may be harmful or obscene is over the age of 18 and preventing access if they are not.

Electronic Device Use in Schools

Recognizing the increased use of electronic devices and software applications in school settings, legislators mandated that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) create standards for their use. In 2023 TEA released standards for permissible electronic devices and software applications used by school districts and open enrollment charter schools. These standards state schools must:

• Implement age-appropriate digital citizenship instruction.

• Provide instruction on internet safety.

• Ensure that devices and applications used are appropriate for the age and maturity of students.

• Monitor and supervise student use of electronic devices and software applications.

Sexting involves sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages or images through text messages, videos, social media applications, emails, webcams, or other internet avenues. While sexting between consenting adults may seem harmless, it can lead to serious criminal charges when minors are involved. Texas law classifies this activity as electronically transmitting sexual depictions of children.

Legal Implications

It is illegal for anyone, including minors, to send sexually explicit or suggestive images of individuals under 18 years of age. This includes images of the sender, recipient, or another minor child.

Common Misconceptions

What Parents May Think:

• "My child knows better and would never do that."

• "I check my child’s phone, so I would know if they are engaging in it."

• "Only promiscuous kids do that."

• "I talk to my kids, and they would tell me if they were sexting."

• "My child does not even think about sex yet."

• "My child is too young to sext."

What Young People May Think:

• "It is just flirting."

• "What is the big deal? Everybody does it."

• "He/she loves me; I know he/she will not share."

• "They will think I am hot when they see this pic."

• "If I do not send this, she/he will break up with me."

• "If he/she did not want people to see it, he/she would not have sent it."

Sexting as a Safety Issue

Revenge Porn:
Once photos and videos are shared with another person or posted online, they can be forwarded or posted as revenge. This can occur after a breakup, perceived rejection, or as a form of blackmail. Such actions are classified as "revenge porn," which is illegal in Texas and carries a state jail felony penalty.

Sextortion:
Images can be obtained through various means, including hacking into cloud accounts or webcams, sharing by boyfriends or girlfriends, or through revenge porn. Once obtained, these images can be used to manipulate or coerce the individual to provide additional or more graphic images. This is known as "sextortion" and is one of the fastest-growing global crimes. Victims may be forced into sex or committing crimes and may feel that suicide is the only way to escape the humiliation, bullying, or extortion caused by an obtained image.

What Should My Child Know?

When discussing sexting with your child, aim for an open dialogue rather than a lecture. Regular conversations are more effective than a single discussion. Key points to cover include:

• Understanding what constitutes sexting.

• Recognizing that sexting is a safety issue.

• Acknowledging that sexting can be used to bully, blackmail, and exploit.

• Understanding the permanence of posting or sharing; once shared, it cannot be taken back.

• Realizing that once images are obtained, they almost always get spread.

• Being aware of the legal consequences that can result from sharing visual images of self or others.

• Knowing that sexting is not necessary to engage in for a relationship.

• Recognizing that predators exist online, and hackers can access cloud accounts and webcams, so it is best practice to avoid taking sexual images and to keep laptops closed when not in use.

• Feeling comfortable coming to you if they make a mistake or have already engaged in these behaviors. Reassure them that you are on their side and that you can work together to minimize the damage. There is never a "too late," and it's important to never lose hope.

Dating violence, also known as domestic violence or intimate partner violence, refers to physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse used by one person to harm, threaten, intimidate, or control another in a current or former dating relationship, partnership, or marriage. It can affect individuals of any age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, and does not require a sexual relationship. Texas State Student Council

According to LoveisRespect.org, nearly 1.5 million high school students are targets of dating violence each year, and nearly 1 in 3 girls in the U.S. is a target. The highest rate of dating violence occurs in females between the ages of 16 and 24, who experience it at almost triple the national average. Experiencing dating violence in adolescence increases the risk for substance use, further violence, eating disorders, and other adverse health outcomes. Only 1 in 3 teens experiencing dating violence tells someone.

Indicators of Dating Violence

Dating violence behaviors can include:

• Physical violence, such as choking, shaking, slapping, or hitting.

• Sexual violence, including coercion, manipulation, or force.

• Psychological violence, such as threats, accusations, belittling, restricting contact with others, extreme jealousy, or controlling behavior.

• Stalking, including driving by the house, school, or job, sending repeated texts or calls, damaging property, or monitoring activities.

• Financial control, such as stealing property, getting the partner fired, or preventing the partner from working.

Steps to Take if Your Child Is in an Abusive Relationship

If you discover your child is in an abusive relationship, it's crucial to approach the situation with care:

• Listen and support: Reassure them that abuse is never their fault.

• Believe your child: Validate their experiences and feelings.

• Express concern for their safety: Prioritize their well-being.

• Discuss behaviors, not the person: Avoid speaking negatively about the abuser to prevent pushing your child closer to them.

• Avoid ultimatums: These can drive your child away.

• Educate yourself: Learn the warning signs of dating violence.

• Decide on next steps together: Collaborate on a plan of action.

The most dangerous time for a victim is when they attempt to leave the abuser, as the abuser may escalate their behavior to regain control. Research indicates that the risk for homicide increases during this period.

If your child is involved in an unhealthy relationship, it's advisable for them to consult a mental health professional, such as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D.). These professionals can assess mental health concerns, evaluate risk levels, and provide appropriate treatment.

Informing school counselors and staff about the situation is also beneficial, as it can impact your child's academic, emotional, social, and behavioral well-being. This is especially important if the partner attends the same school, enabling school police or the threat assessment team to intervene if necessary.

If you become aware of a minor involved in an abusive relationship, especially with an adult partner, it's mandatory to report this to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at 1-800-252-5400 or TX Abuse. Mandated reporters are required to notify DFPS in such cases.

What Should My Child Know?

It's never too early to discuss healthy relationships with your child. Engage in regular conversations to highlight positive examples and characteristics of relationships.

• Healthy relationships are based on respect and equality. Partners make decisions together, communicate openly without fear, and enjoy spending time both together and apart.

• Unhealthy relationships involve attempts to control, such as one partner making most decisions, pressuring the other to act a certain way, or insisting on exclusive time together.

• Compromise is essential. It's okay to engage in activities that both partners enjoy.

• Honesty and open communication are vital in friendships and relationships.

• A good friend or partner should bring out the best in you and want the best for you.

• It's normal for some people to disagree with you, and that's okay. Respectful disagreement is part of understanding different perspectives.

Ensure your child understands the warning signs of dating violence and that it's never their fault. Reassure them that they can talk to you or another trusted adult about anything, and that you're a team. Maintain open dialogue regularly, rather than in a single conversation.

Discuss what to do if they are concerned about a friend experiencing dating violence, including telling you, using the anonymous reporting system, or speaking with a school counselor or another trusted school staff member. It's crucial for your child to know that violence often escalates over time and that abuse typically doesn't stop on its own.

Human trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transporting, or procurement of a person for labor or services for the purpose of involuntary servitude, slavery, or forced commercial sex acts. While human trafficking is a global issue, it is also a significant concern in Texas. The Office of the Attorney General reports that there are 79,000 victims of youth and minor sex trafficking at any given time in the state. 

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to becoming targets of human trafficking due to their use of various social media, gaming, and other online platforms. Traffickers often pose as friends, boyfriends, or girlfriends, exploiting the digital landscape to manipulate and control young individuals. 

Warning Signs to Watch For

As a parent or guardian, it's crucial to be aware of potential indicators that your child may be a victim of human trafficking:

• Has an older 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'

• Change in school attendance, friends, vocabulary, or demeanor

• Sudden appearance of expensive, luxury items

• Truancy from school

• Tattoos or branding

• Sexually provocative style of clothing

• Multiple phones or dual or secret social media accounts

• Unexplained injuries

• Isolation from family, friends, and community

If you observe any of these signs, it's essential to take immediate action to ensure your child's safety.

What to Do If You Suspect Human Trafficking

If you suspect a child is a victim of human trafficking, consider the following steps:

• Call 911: If you believe there is an immediate danger or emergency situation.

• Contact the Texas Department of Family Services: Call 1-800-252-5400 to report suspected abuse or neglect.

• Reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-888-3737-888 or text "Help" or "Info" to 233733 for confidential support and resources.

These resources are available 24/7 and can provide guidance, support, and assistance in addressing potential human trafficking situations.

Suicide is the second most common cause of death among individuals aged 10–24 in the United States. The number of children and adolescents admitted to hospitals for thoughts of suicide or self-harm more than doubled from 2008 to 2015. However, suicide is preventable when warning signs are recognized and appropriate help is sought.

Warning Signs

Be alert to the following behaviors, which may indicate that a child is at risk:

• Expressing feelings of being a burden or that others would be better off without them.

• Verbalizing a desire to die or feeling trapped.

• Demonstrating hopelessness or helplessness.

• Preoccupation with death or researching methods of self-harm.

• Seeking revenge.

• Discussing suicide plans or intentions, including online posts.

• Notable changes in behavior, appearance, or emotional state, such as increased anxiety, anger, agitation, or reckless behavior.

• History of suicide attempts or self-harm.

What You Can Do

If you observe any of these signs, it's crucial to take immediate action:

• Stay calm and listen: Approach the situation with empathy and without judgment.

• Ask directly: Inquire if your child is thinking about suicide or self-harm.

• Reassure them: Let them know that help is available and that they are not alone.

• Ensure safety: Provide constant supervision and remove any means of self-harm.

• Seek professional help: Consult with your child's doctor, a licensed mental health professional, or a psychologist for evaluation and support.

Immediate Actions for Crisis Situations

If your child is in immediate danger:

• Call 911: If harm to self or others is imminent.

• Visit an emergency room: Take your child to a children's psychiatric hospital or ER for evaluation.

• Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 for 24/7, free, and confidential support.

• Access local mental health crisis services: Find resources in your area through the Texas Health and Human Services website.

Understanding Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

NSSI involves the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent. While not intended to end life, NSSI can be a sign of emotional distress and may escalate to suicidal behavior. It's essential to address NSSI with compassion and seek appropriate mental health support.

Supporting Your Child

• Maintain open communication: Regularly engage in conversations with your child about their feelings and experiences.

• Model healthy behaviors: Demonstrate coping strategies and seek help when needed.

• Create a supportive environment: Ensure your child feels safe and understood.

Research has shown that tobacco can be a gateway drug for youth, increasing the risk for later use of illicit drugs. Substance use affects young people differently than it does adults. Research shows that brain development continues until a person’s mid-20s. The last part of the brain to fully develop is the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive function and self-regulation skills including impulse control, decision-making, problem-solving, and planning. Tobacco use, especially during the formative years of brain development, can lead to vulnerability for developing substance use disorders and permanent changes within the brain’s chemistry.

In recent years, e-cigarettes (vaping) have become more prevalent and popular, especially with young people. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General declared youth e-cigarette use an epidemic and a cause for great concern. E-cigarettes are electronic devices that have been designed to look like regular cigarettes or commonplace youth-friendly items such as USB flash drives, pens, highlighters, lipstick, or other cosmetics. Liquid nicotine and other harmful chemicals are heated in the device, producing toxic aerosols which are then inhaled like traditional tobacco cigarettes.

Vaping products have been marketed as being safer than cigarettes and have been marketed towards young people, offering fun flavorings, colors, and designs. Tobacco products including vapes are not safe for anyone, especially youth, young adults, and pregnant women. Ingredients in e-cigarettes not only include nicotine, but can also contain heavy metals such as lead, cancer-causing chemicals, and flavorings which have been linked to lung disease. Bystanders to the secondhand aerosol, which is exhaled by the user, are also inhaling toxic chemicals.

In an effort to reduce easy access for school-aged youth, the Texas Legislature responded by raising the age for retailers to sell to and minors to purchase, possess, and consume all tobacco products from 18 to 21. Just like cigarettes and other tobacco products, e-cigarettes are prohibited from being used or possessed on school property and at school-related or school-sanctioned activities. Check with your School Health Advisory Council to see which tobacco and vaping prevention curriculum is being implemented in your child’s school.

There are new consequences for the possession, use, or delivery of marijuana or e-cigarettes on or near a public school property or at certain school events. Consequences may include class removal and being placed in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) or being expelled from school.

What Should My Child Know?

It is important that children and adolescents know about the dangers of tobacco products and vaping. Although vaping products are marketed as safer and less addicting than other tobacco products, the reality is vaping is not safe, and it is addicting. Not only is it against the law for your child to purchase, possess, or use tobacco or e-cigarettes, it is also against school policy to use these products at school and school-related or school-sponsored events. This includes school transportation.

When having these conversations, remember that the goal is to have an open dialogue, rather than a lecture, and it is best to have these conversations on a regular basis rather than once.

Talk about your expectations for them, that the best way to avoid using tobacco products is to never start, and that they are more vulnerable to addiction to substances, including nicotine because of their developing brain.

If you or your child use tobacco or e-cigarettes, know that it is never too late to quit. There are adult and youth cessation programs and services. Information on youth cessation services is in the resource section below.

Public school students in grades 6 through 12 now receive fentanyl prevention and awareness education. They receive instruction that is grade-level appropriate on opioid use, including fentanyl, addiction, and methods for administering medicine that reverses an opioid overdose.

Districts must have an adopted policy regarding the maintenance, administration, and disposal of the medicine that reverses an opioid overdose at each campus with grades 6 through 12. They may opt to also have a policy in place for students below grade 6.

To help combat fentanyl usage among youth, the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) has created a Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Toolkit. This toolkit provides information on current Texas laws, education and outreach programs, educational modules and videos, awareness campaigns, and several other resources for parents, youth, and educators.