Bullying remains a pervasive issue, not only in schools, colleges, and workplaces, but also within homes and digital spaces. The expansion of internet access, smartphones, and social media has contributed to a more insidious variant: cyberbullying.

Recent data shows that 34% of U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 experienced in-person bullying between July 2021 and December 2023, with younger teens, girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and those with developmental disabilities facing higher rates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024a). Approximately 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property in the past year (CDC, 2024b). Cyberbullying is also rising…more than 1 in 6 high school students experience electronic harassment annually (The Global Statistics, 2024), and a 2025 study revealed that 53.9% of teens had been cyberbullied in the past month, with even subtle acts like online exclusion capable of triggering trauma similar to PTSD (The Washington Post, 2025).

At 3rd Millennium Classrooms, our bullying-prevention programs—such as Respect & Resolve and Conflict Wise—are grounded in evidence-based research and proven strategies for behavior change. Each course equips learners with practical tools, real-world scenarios, and expert resources designed to address both traditional bullying and cyberbullying.

What Is Bullying?

According to StopBullying.gov, bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that is repeated over time and involves a power imbalance—whether physical, social, or psychological (StopBullying.gov, n.d.). It can take the form of:

  • In-person bullying: Verbal insults, physical harm, or social exclusion.

  • Cyberbullying: Online harassment, rumor-spreading, image-based abuse, or exclusion from group chats.

Both forms can significantly affect mental, emotional, and physical health (CDC, 2024b).

The Deep Impact of Bullying & Cyberbullying

Teens who experienced bullying in the last year reported higher rates of anxiety (29.8%) and depression (28.5%) compared to their non-bullied peers (14.5% and 12.1%, respectively) (CDC, 2024a). Cyberbullying, in particular, can cause lasting trauma, with experts noting that even seemingly “minor” incidents can lead to PTSD-like symptoms (The Washington Post, 2025).

Bullying Trends & Risk Factors

Bullying is more prevalent among younger teens (12–14), girls, and LGBTQ+ youth, with nearly 47.1% of sexual minority students reporting being bullied versus 30% of non-minority peers (CDC, 2024a; The Global Statistics, 2024). Transgender and questioning students are bullied at nearly double the rate of cisgender peers, facing higher levels of online harassment, threats, and chronic absenteeism due to safety concerns (Them.us, 2024).

Tips for Schools, Parents & Guardians

  • Educators: Implement inclusive anti-bullying policies and provide trauma-informed training (CDC, 2024b).

  • Parents: Watch for warning signs such as mood changes, school avoidance, or unexplained injuries. Engage school staff early if bullying is suspected (StopBullying.gov, n.d.).

  • Students/Bystanders: Learn safe intervention strategies, such as distraction, direct confrontation when safe, and reporting (Bright Path Behavioral Health, 2024).

References

Bright Path Behavioral Health. (2024, November 4). Teenage cyberbullying statistics. https://www.brightpathbh.com/teenage-cyberbullying-statistics/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024a, August). Bullying among adolescents aged 12–17 years: United States, July 2021–December 2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 514). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db514.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024b, May 17). Bullying research: Fast facts. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/youth-violence/about/about-bullying.html

StopBullying.gov. (n.d.). What is bullying?. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/facts

The Global Statistics. (2024, September). Bullying statistics in the United States. https://www.theglobalstatistics.com/united-states-bullying-statistics/

The Washington Post. (2025, May 31). Cyberbullying can cause trauma akin to PTSD, experts say. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/05/31/cyberbullying-trauma-ptsd-teens-counseling/

Them.us. (2024, May 1). CDC survey reveals transgender students face higher rates of bullying and harassment. https://www.them.us/story/cdc-survey-trans-youth-high-school-bullying