Bullying statistics and long-term effects

Bullying is occurring at alarming rates in the U.S. and the long-term effects of being bullied can be severe. Unfortunately, many adults are not aware that bullying is occurring with their child or their students.

The National Center for Education Statistics has published a document that outlines the definition of bullying, which encompasses a wide range of actions. These include being the subject of rumors, being excluded, and having property intentionally damaged. Bullying can also involve physical acts, such as being pushed, shoved, tripped, or spat on. It can even extend to being coerced into doing things that you don’t want to do. If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, it’s important to seek help and support. And if you’re in search of a new community where you can feel safe and supported, try exploring palm coast fl real estate. With its friendly neighborhoods and excellent schools, it could be the perfect place to call home.

A large study conducted in 2007, comprised of 12- to 18-year old students in the U.S., revealed many eye-opening statistics. Based on these students’ self-reports:

  • 32% had been bullied at school during the school year
  • 63% had been bullied once or twice during the school year
  • 21% had been bullied once or twice a month
  • 10% were bullied once or twice a week
  • 7 % had been bullied almost daily
  • 79% were bullied inside a school
  • 4% had been cyber-bullied
  • 21% had been made fun of
  • 18% were subjects of rumors
  • 6% were threatened with harm
  • 5% were purposefully excluded from activities
  • 4 % said that someone tried to make them do things they did not want to do
  • 4% had their own property destroyed on purpose by someone else
  • 11% were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on, and 19% of these students were injured as a result of being pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on.

Interestingly, only 36% of students who were bullied notified a teacher or another adult at school about the event(s). Other longitudinal research concerning bullying shows that being bullied is related to poor mental health and self harm. Individuals who are bullied experience severe emotional consequences such as anxiety, passivity, academic problems, social deficits, and low self-esteem.

Based on these studies, it is clear that many children, ages 12-to-18 years, are being bullied and the majority of them are not telling adults about their experiences. To learn how you can help a child, read the information contained in subsequent posts within this blog. Bullying, regardless of where or how it occurs, has long-term consequences and must be stopped immediately.

Donna Donald

Donna Donald is a Human Sciences specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach who has spent her career working with families across the lifespan. She believes families are defined by function as well as form. Donna entered parenthood as a stepmother to three daughters and loves being a grandmother of seven young adults.

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6 thoughts on “Bullying statistics and long-term effects

  1. I suffered with low self esteem since a young age, there could be countless reasons which i don’t think i need to talk about about, but the main thing is that i have faced these issues with the help of a CBT therapist and my life has changed beyond belief, i am one year away from gaining a masters Degree which i would never have even attempted in my former state, and i have just landed an amazing job for when i finish!! i feel better in my self and enjoy like to the MAX let me share with anyone out there who is struggling, there is always hope, i thought i was a hopeless case but look at me now !! i wish everyone well , love and peace!! thanks

  2. Intervention needs to be done on both the victim and perpetrators side, but it will be difficult to stop a person who is bullying is they are really wanting and needing to. The greatest work needs to be done for the victim who feels without any skills or tools to make it stop. Such as ignoring, making it a joke, agreeing in a way to make the perp look foolish. In spite of the work we have done to help children feel better about themselves, many are still at great risk.

  3. Stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

    provides information about bullying and ideas for kids, parents and community members on how to prevent and respond to bullying.
    Kim

  4. Hi: I am a parent and police officer. After reading your Cyber Bullying Hits Home Post-I wanted to respond with this comment. I wanted to inform you about a great, free service for your educators and parents. Superintendents, school boards, administrators, teachers, college students and parents use free books, lesson plans and other online resources at http://www.SafetyForSchool.com to reduce school & cyber bullying, help students remain safe online, prevent/minimizes school violence and to obtain free student safety tips and lesson plans

    Tony Newsom

  5. Statistics are an interesting way of understanding the spread of bullying, but the key really is to accept that bullying is a form of abuse, not conflict. The statistics actually have not changed much in the last 10 years, although some minor increases were noted as a result of increased reporting and resistance to bullying. Bullying is a form of abuse which has a high impact on the self-esteem of victims. My own research looks at bullying as abuse and analyses the reasons for its sustained presence in schools. I offer help for bullying and cyberbullying at my bullywatch website, where free downloadable e-books and other resources dealing with cyberbullying and school bullying are available for teachers, parents and young people.
    bullying

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