Bullying in High School – The Facts

In the definition of bullying given by the CDC, bullying is divided into four categories - physical, verbal, relational (e.g., trying to harm the reputation or relationships of the victim), and damage to property. Bullying can also take the form of cyberbullying via texts and social media. Around 1 in 4 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school. If we look at that number on a large scale, it means that hundreds of thousands of kids have been a victim of bullying. With numbers like that, it’s safe to say that bullying in high school has become a serious problem. School is supposed to be a safe place for students, so how are they supposed to focus on learning when some of them are faced with bullying on a daily basis?

Why Does Bullying in High School Happen?

There is no “one size fits all” answer as to why some kids become bullies. Some people might be bullies because they’ve been bullied by adults in their lives, or it could be that they have low self-esteem and bullying makes them feel powerful. Whatever the reason behind it, bullying is not just some rare phenomenon. Up to 30% of kids have admitted to taking part in bullying others.

How Do We Stop Bullying?

Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution to end bullying in high school. Zero tolerance policies in schools have not been shown to be very effective. However, one of the best ways to prevent bullying is to be proactive in all aspects of students’ lives. This means that parents, teachers, and administrators need to work together to set the tone of respect for these kids. That’s where we come in. Terrence Talley will partner with you to empower your students towards positive change. If you want to know how Terrence can make an impact in your students’ lives, then contact us today. Terrence Talley is proud to be a member of the Relevant Speakers Network!