Bullying has been around at least since the Garden of Eden and certainly hasn't let up in this day and age. According to a new study, bullying in schools is alive and well.

According to an article found in USA Today, a survey was conducted by YouthTruth and received more than 160,000 secondary students in 27 states, Maine is one of them.

The study found that about a third of students stated that they were bullied last year.

Two years ago, just over one in four students had said they were bullied. With this newer figure out, bullying has increased in just a few years.

When conducting the survey on bullying, here is what YouthTruth found:

  • Higher rates of bullying had been reported where white kids were the majority
  • Many students stated that their appearance was one reason for them being bullied. Race and sexual orientation ranked the highest among methods.
  • Middle school students were more likely to be bullied than those in high school. 27-percent of high school students said they were bullied compared to almost 40-percent in middle school.
  • Believe it or not, bullying in person was more prolific than online bullying. Verbal harassment was the number one method.

Problems with bullying at school and at other events and activities

Studies show that kids who are bullied are at an increased risk for being violent, academic issues and problems, as well as substance abuse.

YouthTruth also found that students at the greatest risk for behavioral and mental problems result in those who bully and who are bullied.

Basically, the impact of bullying can be and have been far-reaching and cause prolonged problems in life.

Many schools across the country are using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in their schools and it seems to be effective.

Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
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Some ways that teachers and parents are trying to help prevent bullying from happening are:

  1. Conversations - Teachers and parents are having conversations with kids about their bullying experiences and really paying attention and listening to them about their concerns.
  2. Programs - Teachers, school boards, parents and counselors can get together and develop some kind of game plan or program in order to help alleviate some of the bullying problems at school

What are ways you think bullying can be prevented or lessened at your child's school? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

 

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