What the bullying statistics tell us

If you have ever been the victim of a bully, you probably know how hurtful their actions can be.

The old saying about sticks and stones isn't always true. Words can hurt. Teasing, exclusion, false rumors, and the physical aggression that sometimes accompanies these acts all hurt. And the pain can leave an indelible mark that can last a lifetime.

But what are the bullying facts, according to statistics? What do we know about bullying? Are there some meaningful statistics on bullying that allow us to form a reasonable thesis statement about bullying and how we can prevent it?

First, let's try to get our heads around a definition of what bullying is.

What is bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior which involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying can take many forms, from spreading a rumor about someone on social media to tripping them in the locker room. Once a bully has found a victim, the behavior often continues and quickly becomes a repeated pattern, making the victim dread their interactions with the bully.

Bullying can happen anywhere but often starts at school. The statistics reveal that bullying can have a complex range of effects on everyone involved, including victims, offenders, and bystanders. These effects can be harmful both in the short-term and long-term. 

In recent years, the issue of bullying has become more complex because of digital media, which makes victims available to bullies 24/7. Also, there is increased visibility of certain groups, such as LGBTQIA+ youth, who are especially vulnerable to bullying.

Effects of bullying

It's likely not a surprise that bullying can have consequences for victims. But you may be surprised at how deep and far-reaching these consequences can be.

Health problems

According to research, 23% of young adults who were the victims of bullies sought help for a psychiatric disorder (such as severe anxiety or major depressive disorder) before the age of 30, as opposed to only 12% of those who had not been involved in bullying at all. Victims of bullying are also twice as likely to experience physical problems like headaches and stomachaches.

School performance 

Several studies have illustrated that bullying can adversely affect school performance, academic outcomes, and achievement. Being bullied often results in lower motivation, decreased self-esteem, and increased isolation, all of which can negatively impact school performance and achievement. 

Future aggression

The patterns of aggression created in school persist into adulthood; bullies are five times likelier to be incarcerated before they reach the age of 24. And often, the victims become the aggressors. 30% of students who reported being bullied have brought weapons to school, and bullying was considered a contributing factor to two-thirds of school shootings.

Poor long-term outcomes

The pain of bullying can stay with those involved for a lifetime. Studies show that bullying victims have higher rates of depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and panic disorder in adulthood than people who haven't experienced bullying. Psychological distress related to childhood bullying has been found to affect people as old as 50 years old, illustrating that the effects of bullying can provide poor long-term outcomes. 

Cyberbullying statistics

The digital age has brought a new brand of bullying, as young people are harassed face-to-face and via social media and text messages. According to cyberbullying statistics from 2017, 30.7% of boys and 36.3% of girls have been victims of online aggression during their lifetime.

Even more troubling: about half of all teens admit to bullying others online. And over half of cyberbullying victims do not tell their parents when such incidents occur.

Cyberbullying can take many forms. The most common kinds of cyberbullying involve spreading rumors or making mean comments. One in ten teens has had embarrassing pictures taken of them using cell phone cameras. Girls are more likely than boys to be the victims of cyberbullying, and statistics also show that victims of cyberbullying have a greater likelihood of poor self-image and suicidal ideation*.

Considerations for LGBTQIA+ victims

The LGBTQIA+ bullying statistics reveal some troubling trends for this vulnerable group.

Depending on their school environment, daily life can feel like a battleground for these students. Physical bullying statistics show that LGBTQIA+ students are more likely than their peers to be the victims of bullying. For example, 29% of transgender youth have been injured or threatened with a weapon at school, compared to 7% of cisgender youth. 

LGBTQIA+ youths often suffer dramatically negative effects from this kind of aggression. A recent survey shows around 80% of LGBTQIA+ students skip after-school activities due to feeling unsafe. Further, 32% said they've missed a full school day for the same reason. 

Other vulnerable groups

While LGBTQIA+ groups are at the greatest risk of suffering long-term harm due to bullying, other groups are also vulnerable.

Statistics reveal that students with behavioral or emotional disorders are frequent targets of bullying. 33.9% of autistic students are also targets for such victimization. Students with such disorders report victimization significantly more than their peers. Adults are less likely to intervene in a meaningful, helpful way when students with disabilities are bullied; when such incidents were reported, special education students were told not to "tattle" twice as often as their peers without disabilities.

Minority groups also face increased risk from the effects of bullying. More than one-third of students report that they have been victims of bias-based school harassment. This type of bullying (based on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability) is more likely to compromise the victims' health than general bullying.

Offenders and bystanders

The bullying stats reveal many uncomfortable truths not just about victims but also offenders and bystanders. From these bullying facts and statistics, it's clear that bullying is not good for anyone.

We all know that it's unpleasant to watch another person get hurt. But when it comes to bullying, the damage may be worse than we thought. Research has found that the risk for mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and substance misuse is as great for bystanders as for victims. This is especially concerning given the fact that 70.6% of students report that they have witnessed bullying.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

The statistics are even more troubling for offenders. Two-thirds of students who are victims become bullies themselves, putting them into the high-risk "bully-victim" group, the group at the highest risk for depression and suicidal ideation. Bullies are also five times as likely to grow up with a serious criminal record.

Interventions for bullying

The statistics offer more than a glimmer of hope, showing that interventions can be highly effective in minimizing the damage caused by bullying.

The intervention of an adult can stop a bullying situation within 10 seconds 57% of the time. The specific adult interventions reported to be most helpful are listening to students and checking in with them about the outcome. Also, schools that implemented anti-bullying programs have seen incidents reduced by 50%.

When it comes to adult interventions, bullying statistics from 2017 show that supportive practices, like counseling students and teaching them alternative coping skills, are far more effective than punitive practices, such as suspensions or expulsions. That's because bullies and victims do better if they experience a greater sense of school connectedness.

Given these facts, it is even more disturbing how seldom adults intervene in cases of bullying. According to bullying statistics from 2016, adults intervened in only 4% of school bullying incidents that year.

The statistics of bullying weave a sad story of lives that are forever scarred. But these statistics about bullying don't have to be the end of the story. We can use them to develop lasting solutions to a problem that has caused untold heartache to millions of children throughout the generations.

Getting help for bullying

If you or someone you care about is the victim of bullying, there's no need to suffer in silence. A therapist can help you navigate bullying in your or your child's life, providing strategies to stop the bullying and prevent long-term outcomes. If finding time to attend traditional therapy appointments while navigating a bullying situation seems impossible, consider online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy can happen in the safety of your own home. As long as you have a tablet, smartphone, or computer and an internet connection, you can talk to a therapist at a time that works with your schedule.

Additionally, research has shown that online therapy can be very effective in helping those experiencing bullying.