As we move past 2025, the landscape of student interaction has shifted more rapidly than perhaps any other time in history. With the total integration of AI, the expansion of the “metaverse,” and the rising pressure of social perfection, the statistics surrounding bullying have taken on new and complex dimensions.
At Defeat the Label, we believe that to solve a problem, you must first understand its scale. By looking at the data from the past year, we can better equip parents, teachers, and students to move from being bystanders to becoming active Upstanders.
The Current State of School-Based Bullying
Despite increased awareness and school programs, physical and verbal bullying remains a persistent issue in middle and high schools. According to 2025 data, approximately 22% of students aged 12–18 reported being bullied at school during the academic year.
While the “traditional” image of bullying involves physical altercations, the 2025 statistics show a shift:
- Verbal Bullying (73% of cases): This remains the most common form, encompassing name-calling, insults, and the “labeling” that our organization works so hard to stop.
- Social Exclusion (48% of cases): As discussed in our previous articles, relational aggression is at an all-time high, with nearly half of bullied students reporting they were intentionally left out of activities or social groups.
- Physical Bullying (14% of cases): While lower in frequency, physical altercations remain a severe concern for school safety and student mental health.
The 2025 Cyberbullying Surge
If there is one area where the numbers are most alarming, it is the digital realm. In 2025, cyberbullying has officially overtaken in-person bullying in terms of frequency and psychological impact.
Recent surveys indicate that 46% of teens have experienced some form of online harassment. The “24/7” nature of the internet means that for these students, there is no “safe” place to hide. The bullying follows them from the classroom to the dinner table.
The most common platforms for 2025 cyberbullying include:
- Short-Form Video Apps (TikTok/Reels): Specifically through “stitch” videos or comments designed to mock a peer’s appearance.
- Private Messaging Groups (Discord/WhatsApp): Where exclusionary “mobs” can form out of sight of parents and moderators.
- Gaming Metaverses (Roblox/Fortnite): As we explored in our Roblox guide, digital identity harassment is a top concern for younger age groups.
The Impact on Mental Health and Academic Success
The 2025 data draws a direct, undeniable line between bullying and long-term mental health struggles. Students who are frequently bullied are three times more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression than their peers.
The academic “cost” of bullying is also becoming clearer:
- Absenteeism: In 2025, an estimated 160,000 students stay home from school every day specifically to avoid bullying.
- GPA Decline: Students who are targeted see an average 10% to 15% drop in their standardized test scores, as the brain’s “fight or flight” response makes it nearly impossible to focus on learning.
The “Upstander” Gap: A Glimmer of Hope
There is one statistic from 2025 that gives us hope and defines the mission of Defeat the Label. When a bystander intervenes—when a peer stands up for the target—the bullying stops within 10 seconds in 57% of cases.
The problem? In 2025, while 80% of students say they feel bad when they see bullying, only 15% actually step in to help. This is the “Upstander Gap.” Our work is dedicated to closing that gap by giving students the language and the courage to be that 15% who make a difference.
Why 2025 is the Year of “Identity Bullying”
A significant trend in the 2025 data is the rise of Identity-Based Bullying. This involves targeting a student based on their race, religion, disability, or gender identity. Over 35% of bullied students reported that the harassment was tied to a core part of their identity.
This type of bullying is particularly damaging because it doesn’t just attack a child’s actions; it attacks who they are. This is why our message of “Defeating the Label” is more relevant now than ever. When we strip away the labels used to marginalize students, we create a culture where empathy can finally grow.
How Schools Are Responding in 2025
The good news is that school policies are catching up. In 2025, more schools have moved away from “Zero Tolerance” policies—which often punish the victim alongside the bully—and toward Restorative Justice and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Schools that implemented dedicated “Upstander Training” in 2024 saw a 20% reduction in total bullying incidents by the start of 2025. These programs work because they don’t just punish the “bad” behavior; they incentivize the “good” behavior.
Moving Forward: What the Data Tells Us
The 2025 statistics tell a story of a generation that is more connected than ever, yet more vulnerable to social isolation. The numbers are high, but they are not a destiny.
By looking at these figures, we see a clear roadmap for the future:
- Digital Literacy is Non-Negotiable: We must teach kids how to navigate online toxicity as part of their standard education.
- Empathy is a Skill: Empathy isn’t just a feeling; it’s a muscle that needs to be trained through consistent school culture programs.
- Parental Involvement is Key: The data shows that students who have a “trusted adult” they can talk to are 40% more resilient to the effects of bullying.
Final Thoughts: Changing the Numbers
Statistics can feel cold and overwhelming, but behind every “22%” and every “46%” is a child who is trying to find their place in the world. Our goal at Defeat the Label is to turn these numbers around.
We don’t want to just track the statistics; we want to change them. Through our Stand4Change events—which saw over 6.3 million participants in October 2025—we are proving that the number of people who want to end bullying is far larger than the number of people who want to perpetrate it.
