In 2013, US high school students took the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This infographic outlines some of the findings related to bullying and fighting.
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How Common Are Bullying and Fighting among High Schoolers?
In 2013, US high school students took the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This infographic outlines some of the findings.
20% of US high school students were bullied on school property[1]
|
Percent Who Were Bullied On School Property (during the 12 months before the survey) by Gender and Grade |
||
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
|
Total |
23.7 |
15.6 |
|
9th |
29.2 |
20.8 |
|
10th |
28.8 |
15.8 |
|
11th |
20.3 |
13.1 |
|
12th |
15.5 |
11.2 |
15% of students were electronically bullied[2]
|
Percent Who Were Electronically Bullied (during the 12 months before the survey) by Gender and Grade |
||
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
|
Total |
21.0 |
8.5 |
|
9th |
22.8 |
9.4 |
|
10th |
21.9 |
7.2 |
|
11th |
20.6 |
8.9 |
|
12th |
18.3 |
8.6 |
25% of students had been in a physical fight
3% of students had been injured in a physical fight[3]
Physical fights on school property have decreased since 1993…
8% of students had been in a physical fight on school property
|
Percent Who Were in a Physical Fight on School Property (one or more times during the 12 months before the survey) by Year |
|||||||||||
|
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
2003 |
2005 |
2007 |
2009 |
2011 |
2013 |
|
|
Question |
16.2 |
15.5 |
14.8 |
14.2 |
12.5 |
12.8 |
13.6 |
12.4 |
11.1 |
12.0 |
8.1 |
…But more kids are missing school because they feel unsafe (at school or on the way to or from school)
7% of students had missed school in the last 30 days
|
Percent Who Did Not Go to School Because They Felt Unsafe at School or on Their Way to or from School (on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey) by Year |
|||||||||||
|
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
2003 |
2005 |
2007 |
2009 |
2011 |
2013 |
|
|
Question |
4.4 |
4.5 |
4.0 |
5.2 |
6.6 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
5.5 |
5.0 |
5.9 |
7.1 |
Students who are bullied are more likely to have missed school in the last 30 days
16% of bullied students missed school due to safety concerns
Only 4% of students who had not been bullied missed school due to safety concerns
Students who experience multiple types of bullying are even more likely to miss school
|
Percent Who Missed School Because of Safety Concerns |
|
|
Both in-person and electronic bullying |
21.2 |
|
In-person bullying only |
12.9 |
|
Electronic only |
10.8 |
How can you stop bullying?
For schools:
- Create anti-bullying policies and communicate them to staff, parents, and students
- Integrate bullying prevention material into curriculum at all grade levels
- Encourage students to stand up to bullies, report incidents, and support victims
For parents:
- Talk with your child about what to do if they or someone they know is being bullied
- Become familiar with your school’s anti-bullying policies and rules
- Reach out to your school for help if you know a child who is involved in bullying
To learn more, visit: stopbullying.gov
[1] In the12 months before the survey was administered unless otherwise stated
[2] Being bullied through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, websites, or texting
[3] Injured in a physical fight and required treatment from a doctor or nurse
Sources:
2013 CDC YRBS Data, https://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline/App/Default.aspx
Bullying and Absenteeism, CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/fs_bullying_absenteeism.pdf
For more resources, visit our resource guide: ChildrensSafetyNetwork.org/resource/bullying-prevention