Sen. Kirk helps launch anti-bullying app

There is a new mobile app to help keep kids from becoming bullies.

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois and his 2014 Student Leadership Advisory Board and employees at Motorola Mobility helped launch the new anti-bullying app. It's geared for elementary school students and is called “Back Off Bullies.”

The game app for Android smartphones includes a number of games that teach students about the importance of keeping friendships free from cyberbullying.

In a news release, Kirk's office says statistics show that bullying affects more than 40 percent of the students in Illinois.

Kirk and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania have introduced legislation that would require schools and school districts that receive federal funding to adopt codes of conduct that prohibit bullying.