The Hidden Crisis: Bullying in India and Why We Must Act Now

Bullying is one of the major child safety concerns in India with an alarming increase in this trend in the last couple of decades. Various studies conducted in India indicate a level of 50-60% prevalence of bullying with the highest prevalence of bullying found at 63.9% (Singh & Singh, 2023). Bullying behaviour tends to increase gradually with age, becoming most prevalent among students between 11 and 13 years old. It reaches its peak at age 13, after which it begins to decline from age 14 onwards.

The prevalence of bullying in schools can vary based on the type of institution, such as single-sex (boys' or girls' schools) and co-educational settings. Research indicates that bullying is more common in co-ed schools, with a reported rate of 38.2%, compared to 18.5% in girls' schools. Additionally, bullying tends to affect boys more frequently (36.2%) than girls (28.5%).

In a study by UNICEF covering four countries, India showed the significantly higher prevalence of all types of bullying with the exception of verbal bullying which was higher in Peru. In this study it was also found that the highest form of bullying was indirect bullying followed by physical bullying.?

Furthermore, with the era of technology cyberbullying has been on a continuous rise. A recent report by cybersecurity firm McAfee reveals that over 85% of Indian children have experienced cyberbullying, the highest rate among all countries surveyed. Alarmingly, 45% of these children admitted to cyberbullying strangers, while 48% confessed to targeting acquaintances.

With bullying becoming increasingly normalized in schools across India, it is more important than ever to foster kindness, empathy, and respect among students. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard in their learning environment. It is crucial to raise awareness and implement strict zero-tolerance policies to ensure that no instance of bullying goes unnoticed. Too often, students remain silent out of fear or stigma—but by nurturing a culture of trust and openness, we can empower them to speak up and support one another. Together, we can create schools where every child thrives with confidence and dignity.

Written by Aparajita Basu Roy

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