Scottsdale, Ariz(PinionNewswire) — Every day in the United States, 19 young people die by suicide, and nearly one in three teens is bullied—a crisis experts now call a public health emergency. For behavioral therapist, speaker, and author Tara Lynn Townes—whose books Tiny But Mighty and Are You Raising a Bully? confront these very issues—the numbers hit painfully close to home. Her own son endured relentless bullying. That experience compelled her to create Bullying Buddy, a first-of-its-kind mobile app built to step in before harassment spirals into despair or tragedy.

“When my son Encore came home with scratches on his face, missing lunches, and stories of classmates calling him a freak or a monster, I realized listening wasn’t enough,” Townes said. “I had to create something that would protect children in the moment. We can’t keep waiting until the damage is done.”

How it works

With a single tap, Bullying Buddy records an incident and transmits live video and geolocation data to parents and, where allowed, school administrators within eight seconds. Tracking continues for more than ten minutes, ensuring families remain informed even if a child is followed or moved. The device is designed to protect children in and off school grounds and to aid in bullying and suicide prevention.

The app also provides:

• AI keyword monitoring for terms like “suicide” or “die,” which triggers instant alerts and guided support.

• Direct cyberbullying reporting to platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.

• Real-time parent-child chat during incidents.

• Clear definitions and profiles of the seven types of bullying.

• A bereavement hub for families to memorialize lost children and contribute to national data.

• Relaxing music for behavioral and anxiety redirection.

• Active shooter protocol.

• Credible data collection.

• Tracking bullying hot spots.

“This isn’t just about technology,” Townes explained. “It’s about saving lives, restoring confidence in our youth, and making sure no family ever has to bury a child because of bullying again.”

Townes’ advocacy is fueled not only by her son’s struggles but also by the heartbreaking stories of mothers who lost children as young as seven to suicide. “I will never forget sitting across from a mother who found her child in their room, gone,” she recalled. “I couldn’t breathe as I listened to story after story. That day I knew awareness wasn’t enough. We had to give parents and children a tool that works in real time.”

Beyond the app: A national movement

Bullying Buddy is part of a larger three-pronged strategy created by Townes:

• Technology through the app.

• Behavioral redirection via the empathy-based Be Brave Curriculum.

• Healing and resilience through the Bully Proof Academy, a five-week program for preschool through college students that uses role playing and interactive exercises to build empathy, confidence, and coping skills.

Townes’ vision goes beyond classrooms and devices. She is calling for a federal law requiring every school to adopt comprehensive anti-bullying and safety protocols. “We have rules for fire drills and seat belts,” she said. “Why don’t we have one for bullying prevention, when lives are at stake?”

Reception and reach

While some schools cite phone policies, others are embracing Bullying Buddy as a safety tool rather than just an app. Districts that allow students to keep phones for emergencies are piloting the program, and superintendents have voiced enthusiasm. Interest extends far beyond U.S. borders: Townes has been invited to present in Johannesburg, South Africa and the country of Georgia, with more inquiries from educators and parents worldwide.

Expanding the mission

Bullying Buddy is also being expanded to address urgent safety concerns beyond childhood bullying. An adult version—set to debut in app stores within weeks—will provide critical resources for those facing domestic violence, elder abuse, workplace harassment, racial bullying, and human trafficking. Upcoming updates include in-app access to licensed therapists, an active-shooter protocol that can silently transmit video and location data to parents and, eventually, law enforcement, as well as patent-pending infant wearables such as smart jewelry and water-activated safety bracelets.

A mother’s crusade

For Townes, Bullying Buddy is more than an app. It is a movement to protect children, empower families, and change the culture around bullying. “No more silence. No more excuses. Every child deserves to feel safe.”

For more information on Bullying Buddy, visit thebullyingbuddy.com.