We define teen bullying as unwanted and repeated physical and verbal aggression directed at an individual. Bullying does not just affect the victim. Parents, teachers, witnesses, and communities are all negatively impacted by bullying to varying degrees.

Bullying and Cyberbullying

The internet has also created a foundation for a new type of electronic bullying to occur called cyberbullying. Online cyberbullying can happen through emails, social media, playing multiplayer video games, and other types of electronic communication.

Bullying has grown into a significant social challenge. The CDC has stepped in and is working with many agencies in developing anti-bullying campaigns to educate people on the damage bullying can do to individuals and communities.

Teen Bullying Percentage Statistics

A five-month study in 2008 by the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) recorded past-year and lifetime exposure to violence in youth under 17. A few of the statistics revealed include:

· More than 46% of youth had been assaulted at least once.

· More than 1 in 10 suffered injuries because of the assault.

· Greater than 60% of children were directly or indirectly exposed to violence over the year.

· More than 25% were witnesses to a violent act.

· Almost 9% of girls between 14 and 17 were victims of sexual assault.

· Around 30% of youth had witnessed a parent being assaulted.

Types of Bullying

The OJJDP report gathered data on the different types of bullying experienced by the study subjects and released teen bullying statistics on emotional bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying.

Teen Emotional Bullying Statistics

· Almost 20% of children reported instances of emotional bullying and teasing in the past 12 months.

· Six to 9-year-olds reported the highest incidences, with more than 30% experiencing emotional bullying in the past 12 months.

· Almost 30% of youths said they had experienced emotional bullying during their life.

Teen Physical Bullying Statistics

· Children aged 6 to 9 again reported the highest incidence of bullying (21.5% over the past year and 28% in a lifetime).

· More than 21% of teens have experienced at least one instance of bullying during their life.

· More than 13% had experienced an episode of physical bullying in the past 12 months.

Cyberbullying

· More than 5% of 14 to 17-year-olds had experienced some form of cyberbullying.

· Almost 8% had reported cyberbullying at some point during their life.

Global Bullying Statistics

According to some studies, almost 50% of school-age children between grades 4 to 12 have experienced some form of bullying from a fellow student at least once. Seventy-one percent of children have witnessed bullying at school, and 70% of school staff have seen bullying.

In 2017, more than 1 million kids reported cyberbullying on the social media site Facebook.

Reducing Teen Bullying

Teen bullying is a social problem that may be impossible to eradicate. However, there are things you can do to discourage bullying.

Encourage teens to find friends who are supportive and kind, both online and off. Bullies usually single out children when they are alone, so it’s a good idea to move in groups as often as possible.

Ensuring an adult, such as a teacher or other adult in authority is present whenever possible can also discourage bullying behavior.

Our biggest weapon against bullying is education. Bullies are often from socially disadvantaged homes or have mental and emotional health challenges. Any measures taken to stamp out bullying needs to include compassion and understanding about why bullies bully in the first place.