Can anonymous reporting systems prevent violence at school?

With 76 school shootings reported in the United States this year alone, the upward trend over the past decade is concerning. More than half of these incidents occurred on K-12 school campuses, leaving 36 people dead and 103 injured. To date, efforts to prevent school shootings have focused primarily on “hardening targets” – such as active shooter drills, metal detectors and increased police presence – particularly in schools serving predominantly low-income and minority students. However, high-profile tragedies such as the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting in 2022 have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of such measures. Another approach, anonymous reporting systems (ARS), has gained traction across the country. These systems allow individuals—whether parents, teachers, or students—to report potential threats or security concerns without revealing their identities and have shown promise in some areas.

What are ARSs and why are they important?

Since 2019, at least a dozen states have set up “tip lines” via phone, text message, websites or apps that allow students, parents and staff to report safety concerns anonymously. For example:

• Pennsylvania Safe2Say Something: Created by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, this program allows anonymous reporting of a range of safety concerns, including potential school shootings, suicide risk and bullying. In the first six months, the program received 607 threat reports.

• Oregon SafeOregon Tip line: Since its launch in 2016, the SafeOregon tip line has collected more than 3,300 tips in the 2023-2024 academic year alone, with 40% of tips coming from students. While bullying and harassment remain the most commonly reported concerns, hundreds of tips related to threats of violence and suicide at school are also received each year.

• Colorado Safe2Tell Program: Safe2Tell is one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the United States, launched over two decades ago in response to the Columbine shootings. During the 2023-2024 school year, the program received thousands of tips related to bullying, suicide threats, drug use and complaints about school conditions.

Do ARSs work for all students?

Although ARS are an effective tool for combating school violence, they are not a panacea. Students are often able to spot potential threats before anyone else, but fear of retaliation and the informal “code of silence” among classmates can discourage them from speaking out. Despite the popularity of ARS programs among school staff and parents, students’ reluctance to report concerns can limit their effectiveness.

A recent study published in the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management examined the availability of ARS and its connection to student reporting. Researchers at the University of Virginia examined data from 106,865 students at 282 high schools in Virginia and came to a surprising conclusion: the mere presence of an ARS did not increase students’ willingness to report threats. Instead, reporting behavior was heavily influenced by students’ relationships with teachers and the overall school climate.

Key findings from the study include:

• Supportive relationships are important: Students who felt their teachers cared about them were more likely to express concerns.
• Fair discipline counts: Schools with clear, consistently enforced rules promoted higher levels of trust and reporting.
• Distrust of authority remains: Black students and students from economically disadvantaged areas were less likely to report threats, which may reflect broader societal issues with authority figures.
• School climate is important: Schools with high levels of violence and understaffing were less likely to benefit from ARSs because students in these settings often felt discouraged from possible solutions.

Beyond Threats: Other Uses for ARS

Another important issue raised in the study is the type of tip that typically leads to a formal threat assessment. Most tips address concerns such as bullying, mental health issues or suicidality rather than the direct threat of mass violence. Whether reports of bullying or suicidal behavior trigger effective intervention often depends on the availability of mental health resources, which are often lacking in understaffed or underfunded schools.

Where do we go next?

Although ARS can help combat school violence, they alone are not enough to prevent safety problems. Schools must move beyond anonymous reporting systems to build a culture of trust and safety, especially in underserved areas. The most important steps include:

• Strengthening student-teacher relationships: When students feel cared for, they are more likely to voice concerns.
• Ensuring a fair disciplinary policy: Clear and consistently enforced rules help build trust and promote a sense of security.
• Educate students about ARS: Some students may not know how to use these systems or fear retaliation despite anonymity.
• Addressing broader security concerns: Research shows that measures like metal detectors, active shooter drills, and surveillance cameras don’t necessarily make students feel safer — and can sometimes have the opposite effect.

In summary, ARS are a valuable tool, but not a standalone solution. Educators and policymakers must prioritize cultivating positive relationships, promoting equity, and addressing the broader needs of students. A safe school is not just a school with a hotline – it is a place where every student feels seen, supported and empowered to speak up.