School Bullying Has Decreased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, but Schools Should Prepare for Its Return
Summary
Remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted many facets of students’ school experiences. Although many parents, educators, and other stakeholders have sounded the alarm on the potential negative learning and mental health outcomes, the shift to virtual schooling may have also benefited some students—particularly those who have experienced bullying by their peers. Nationally representative data for 2020 and 2021 are not yet available, but several smaller data collections suggest that bullying significantly decreased during the pandemic. As students return to in-person schooling, school leaders must take active steps to prevent a resurgence of bullying behaviors.
Source: Child Trends (2021). School Bullying Has Decreased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, but Schools Should Prepare for Its Return.