“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” These words have been repeated countless times, but they are not accurate. Truly, words can kill. Bullying has become a glaring problem in our society, and bullying in school systems is even more glaring. According to the news, there are countless cases of bullying, many of which do not have a happy ending. Suicide rates due to bullying are currently higher than they have ever been before. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth in the United States, averaging 4,400 deaths per year, of which more than 50% are due to some sort of bullying. Studies also show that there are 100 suicide attempts for every successful suicide (“Bullying and Suicide”). These numbers are worryingly high. Bullying affects more and more children in ways that some adults may never understand. The fact that words and actions can lead to cuts and suicides is still a distant concept for some and needs to be brought to immediate attention. Laws are currently being adopted to prevent these tragedies, but what is actually being done to prevent them in schools or even in students' homes? There is a lot to be said on this topic. But we all want to know what is causing this national crisis and who is responsible for it. A bully can be defined in several ways and this term is sometimes exaggerated. However, according to the Miriam-Webster Dictionary, a bully is defined as “a person who is habitually cruel toward others who are weaker” and bullying is defined as “causing (someone) to do something by threatening or insulting or using force.” These are the formal definitions of the term, but the definitive...... middle of the paper...... Retrieved from http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-statistics.htmlJohnston, J. ( 2011 , April 19). Interview with Demi Lovato: the teen star opens up about bulimia, cutting through the problems. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/demi-lovato-interview-teen-star-opens-bulimia-cutting/story?id=13405090Hamilton, J. (2008). Bullying and hazing. Farmington Hills: Gale and Greenhaven Press. DOI: gale.cengage.comBullying and suicide. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.htmlRoles Played by Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/roles-kids-play/index.htmlDefinition of Bullying. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/definition/index.htmlRisk Factors. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/factors/index.html