Which of the following statements about bullying is true? High school students are the most likely to be affected by bullying.
The most frequent type of bullying is being hit, slapped, or pushed.
In a national survey, nearly one of every three students said that they had experienced occasional or frequent involvement as a victim or perpetrator in bullying. Bullies report more loneliness and difficulty making friends, while victims of bullies were more likely to have low grades and to smoke and drink alcohol.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct statement is:
“In a national survey, nearly one of every three students said that they had experienced occasional or frequent involvement as a victim or perpetrator in bullying.”
Explanation
Bullying is a widespread issue among school-aged children and adolescents and can take many forms—physical, verbal, social, and increasingly, cyberbullying. The statement referencing a national survey is accurate and backed by data from reputable sources such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Educational Statistics. According to these studies, approximately 1 in 3 students in middle and high school report being involved in bullying either as a victim, a perpetrator, or both. This figure highlights how prevalent bullying is across schools and underscores the importance of anti-bullying programs and awareness campaigns.
The other statements are not accurate:
- “High school students are the most likely to be affected by bullying” is incorrect. Research shows that bullying is actually more prevalent in middle school than in high school. As students mature, bullying rates tend to decrease, although it still occurs in high schools.
- “The most frequent type of bullying is being hit, slapped, or pushed” is also inaccurate. Verbal bullying, such as name-calling, teasing, and spreading rumors, is reported more frequently than physical bullying. Emotional and social forms of bullying, including exclusion and cyberbullying, have also become increasingly common.
- “Bullies report more loneliness and difficulty making friends, while victims of bullies were more likely to have low grades and to smoke and drink alcohol” mixes up behavioral tendencies. It is generally victims of bullying who report loneliness, low academic achievement, and risky behaviors such as smoking or drinking. Bullies, on the other hand, may have social influence and are less likely to report loneliness, though some may also face emotional or behavioral issues.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial in designing effective interventions and support systems for both victims and perpetrators of bullying.
