Bullying is basically when someone repeatedly hurts, threatens, or mistreats another person on purpose, causing harm to feelings or safety. Recent statistics provided by the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) indicate that approximately 19 percent of students between the ages of 12 and 18 years report being bullied at school. This is a report from data from the 2021–22 school year, as mentioned on NCES. That is why bullying facts are an essential tool for any parent willing to take necessary actions to protect their young ones. You must be aware of what is occurring, how frequently it occurs, and why it is important. When you have proper and up-to-date information about bullying, then you have power. This article will teach you about bullying and how to protect your kids from it with actual facts and strategies.
Understanding bullying: What are the facts?
Bullying basically happens when someone uses power to hurt someone else again and again. You need to know what these bullying facts really involve and who faces them most. It takes four common forms:
- Physical bullying includes hitting, kicking, pushing, or ruining someone’s things.
- Verbal bullying happens when someone calls names or insults another.
- Social bullying damages a child’s friendships or reputation.
- Cyberbullying uses phones, texts, social media, or apps to harm someone.
You can see how these forms overlap and cause real harm if they happen repeatedly. Let’s look at who faces this most and where it happens.
| Group / Setting | Details |
| Age groups | Teenagers aged 12–17 face bullying at a rate of 34% in the past year. |
| School vs. online | About 19% of students in grades 6–12 report bullying at school in 2021–22; around 22% say it happened online or by text. |
| Gender & school level differences | Bullying hits middle schoolers (26%) harder than high schoolers (15.7%). Girls report more school (21.8%) and cyberbullying than boys (16.7%). |
Bullying statistics: A closer look
Here is a look at the most recent numbers. These bullying statistics reveal the prevalence of bullying and its impact on various groups.
High prevalence of bullying among teens
According to the NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) survey (July 2021-December 2023), 34 percent of U.S. teens between 12 and 17 years old were bullied in the last 12 months. That covers any physical, verbal, social, and online bullying. All those experiences occurred multiple times. Approximately 21.5 percent indicated that they encountered it once or twice. Fewer of them survived it once a week or nearly daily.
Bullying patterns in schools
According to the U.S. Department of Education and the Cyberbullying Research Center, approximately 19 percent of students in 6-12 grades reported being bullied at school. This research is based on 2021-2022 school-based data. Rumors (13%) and name-calling (12%) were some of the key forms. Other behaviors such as pushing, exclusion, or threats also occurred, but less frequently. A higher percentage (26 percent) of middle schoolers encountered bullying compared to high schoolers (15.7 percent). Girls suffer more than boys at 21.8 per cent. Vs 16.7 per cent. And 22 percent of bullied students say it occurred online or through text.
Cyberbullying is a growing concern
Cyberbullying has a significant population. Research from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey indicates that it affects girls more. Almost 27.7% of bullied girls, compared to 14.1% of boys, say it happened online mostly. In addition, 16 percent of all high school students were electronically bullied last year.
Comparing data sources for deeper insight
Cross-source comparison provides you with a better picture. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) confirms the total rate of 34 percent of bullied teenagers in the United States. It is one of the most well-known bullying facts, as the forms and settings behind it can be seen in school surveys. The digital data sheds light on the fact that the Internet spaces enhance the damage.
Ensure peace of mind with real-time monitoring of online activities.
The impact of bullying on young adults
In this section, you will learn how bullying of young adults can harm their mental health, school life and friendships, right now and long after. The table below makes key studies easy to compare.
| Effect | Short-Term | Long-Term |
| Mental health | Anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness, sleep, and appetite issues | Chronic depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal thoughts |
| Academic performance | Poor grades, skipping school, exam anxiety | Lower education, less job stability, and earning less as an adult |
| Social relationships | Isolation, trouble making or keeping friends | Long-term trust issues, unstable relationships |
According to the British National Child Development Study, a 50‑year longitudinal study tracking thousands of children, those who were frequently bullied in childhood faced nearly double the odds of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts by age 45. Many continued to experience psychological distress and poorer social functioning well into age 50.
As reported by PubMed in Norway, teens bullied at age 13–15 showed more depressive symptoms and a higher likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization by age 27, compared to their non-bullied peers. Its long-term economic impacts include reduced employment, savings, and wealth by age 50 for those bullied in childhood.
Understanding different types of bullying
Here you will read clearly what each kind of bullying looks like and why each matters, as each form brings its own harm. Physical bullying, emotional bullying, and cyberbullying are some of the many types of bullying discussed below, which will help you understand bullying facts better.
Physical bullying
This type of bullying basically involves hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, or destroying property. Hits, kicks, pushes, tripping, or destroying property. It causes visible harm. You are anxious about bruises or lost things. Physical bullying can cause one to fear going to school or other places. Children can even attempt to evade activities, corridors, or classrooms where they occur. It also causes stress headaches, stomach pai,n and chronic anxiety when prolonged.
Cyberbullying
It happens online when people send threats, spread rumors, post embarrassing things, send harmful texts or create fake profiles. You can’t escape it. It is easy to spread and is online. A post can be reached in hundreds of minutes. Children tend to conceal it since they are worried about being denied phone or internet access. Cyberbullying has the potential not only to harm confidence, sleep, and attention at school, but also to carry over into offline friendships.
Emotional (relational or social) bullying
This basically involves exclusion, gossiping, humiliation, or manipulation from one person to another. Kids feel invisible, weak, or out of touch with others. This form may be faint and thus difficult to notice. It erodes self-esteem and may cause one to withdraw from activities previously enjoyed. Over time, it can lead kids to question their value and become suspicious of new friends.
Sexual bullying
This form of bullying includes undesired touching, sexual remarks, gestures, or disseminating sexual rumors. It causes children to feel raped or embarrassed. This type is very destructive and can cause permanent emotional wounds. It can lead to trauma, phobia of social environments, or school phobia. Children who experience it usually require immediate assistance from trusted adults and professionals to feel safe again.
Signs a child might be bullied
The list below covers a range of signs that your kid might be getting bullied. They will not only help you understand your kid’s situation but also help you learn in general. Watch quietly and you may notice more than one. Trust your instincts if something seems off. Spot these warning signs early so you can act fast to protect your child.
- Sudden injuries you can’t explain
- Lost or damaged items like clothes or books
- Frequent headaches, upset stomach, or supposed illnesses
- Change in eating or sleeping habits
- Drop in school grades or interest in learning
- Avoids school or social activities
- Withdrawal from friends, isolation
- Mood swings, anxiety, sadness, or tears
Open communication helps
Create a space where your child shares freely. Ask gentle, open questions about their day or friends. Listen more than speak. Say things like, “Tell me what happened,” not “Why didn’t you say something earlier?” Check in often. Let them feel heard. You help build trust when you listen calmly and respond with care. That trust makes it easier for them to talk when they need you.
Prevention strategies: How to combat bullying
Bullying often grows inside school walls but starts earlier at home. You shape your child’s feelings about empathy, safety, and speaking up. You set the tone in your home. This begins with safety, and you may want to stop bullying before it starts. You play a big role.
Use these steps below to help yourself and your kids prevent or combat bullying:
- Speak with empathy. Ask about their friendships and feelings. Invite them to talk about online experiences. Show you care without pushing. Make sharing easy. Build your child’s trust so they feel safe to talk. This emotional bond lowers the risk of bullying at school or online.
- Teach your child to respect differences. Encourage kind actions. Praise them when they show care. Read stories or talk about how others feel. You can help them see the effects of words or actions. That builds strong social skills and emotional intelligence.
- Help your child practice how to respond to teasing or mean words. Role-play calm responses. Show them how to walk away, stand firm, or seek help. Let them know you’re backing up. That helps them feel strong and safe.
- Talk to teachers or staff when you spot concerns. Schools must set clear rules and follow them. Many now use buddy systems, safe spaces, or empathy programs. Together, your voice and the school’s efforts create real safety.
Parental control tools: Why you need them
You want to protect your child at home, outside, and in the online space. Screen time, online chats, and content can expose them to bullies. You need clarity about their digital life. That way, you act fast if trouble appears. Knowing bullying facts will not be enough to protect them; you also need a good parental control tool to help them.
This is where the most trusted and user-friendly parental control tool, FlashGet Kids, comes in. This platform provides you with all the necessary features one needs to have all the safety measures for their kids. The following are some of the top features it provides:
- You see your child’s screen live with the Screen Mirroring feature, so nothing they do online escapes your view.
- You use Remote Camera and One-Way Audio to check their surroundings quietly and remotely.
- You track their location in real time with Location Tracker and review where they’ve been with Location History.
- You also set Geofence zones and get alerts when they enter or leave.
- You control their device use with Screen Time, App Blocker, and receive Notifications when needed.
How to help your kid avoid becoming a bully
Bullying often reflects need or pain. You can change that path early. If your child shows bullying behavior, act calmly but firmly. Talk about what happened. Ask how they felt. Help them see how the other child may feel. You can help them learn empathy. This stops harm from growing further.
Don’t ignore it. You can say, “Hurting others hurts them and does not solve problems.” Teach them to say sorry, to make it right, and to ask for support if they often feel upset or angry, and simply take action. Work with school staff or a counselor if needed. Bullying may lead to mental issues or aggression later. You intervene now to move your child toward kindness and understanding.
Conclusion
Bullying is not an easy concept, but knowing bullying facts gives you the strength to do something. You can save your child by knowing the facts, by being able to tell when the time is right, and by having useful tools in your arsenal. Resilience is created by open communication, empathy, and sustained support. Schools, communities, and digital tools also contribute to making spaces safer. When you are attentive, establish clear boundaries and seek basic professional support when it is necessary, as you make your child feel safe and appreciated. Helping your child become a caring, strong, and confident adult can basically be achieved by a few simple steps at home today.
