Bullying

Bullying is a problem of epic proportions that has long-term effects on youthful victims, robbing them of self-esteem, isolating them from their peers, causing them to drop out of school, and even prompting health problems and suicide.

The most recent School Crime Supplement (SCS) to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) revealed that in 2019, about 22% of students ages 12–18 reported being bullied at school. In 2019, about 16% of students in grades 9–12 reported being electronically bullied during the previous 12 months.

Children who are bullied are often singled out because of a perceived difference between them and others, whether because of appearance (size, weight, or clothes), intellect, ethnic or religious affiliation, gender identity, or sexual orientation–to name a few examples.

Bullying can be a gateway behavior, teaching the perpetrator that threats and aggression are acceptable even in adulthood. In one study by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, nearly 60% of boys whom researchers classified as bullies in grades six to nine were convicted of at least one crime by the age of 24, while 40% had three or more convictions.

Information About Bullying

What Parents Can Do
Advice for parents and adults dealing with bullying

Teaching Kids About Bullying
Information and lesson plans adults can use to teach kids about bullying

Girls and Bullying
Tips for parents on dealing with the problem of bullying between girls

Strategies
Techniques that adults can use to reduce bullying

Downloadable Resources on Bullying

Bullies: A Serious Problem for Kids – 825.4 kB
A reproducible brochure about the causes of bullying and how to stop it