What is Bullying?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023), bullying is defined as: “as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm.”

How Big is the Problem?

• Bullying is extremely common with 1 in 5 high school students reporting experiencing bullying in the last year.
• Risk of bullying is significantly higher for students who identify as LGBTQ+.
• Bullying interferes with learning. Nearly 14% of public schools reported bullying is a frequent discipline problem. 
• 1 in 6 high school students reported being cyberbullied in the last year.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)

Strategies to Prevent and Address Bullying

Be knowledgeable and observant.

• Involve students and parents Set positive expectations about behavior for students and adults
• Be aware of where bullying is likely to occur (i.e. bathrooms, playground, hallways, and buses) and monitor those areas

Take reports of bullying seriously and follow proper reporting protocols.

• Create anti-bullying task force that involve both students and parents 
• Encourage older students to be monitors for younger students 

Create and maintain safe-learning environments by having a 0 tolerance policy for bullying. 

• Create anti-bullying documents for students and parents to review and sign

(American Psychological Association, 2011)