Bullying Statistics 2026: Insights from 1,000+ UK Students

Published

27 September 2026

Contents

More than half of UK students surveyed have experienced bullying, while fear of making things worse is the biggest barrier to reporting it.

New Save My Exams research, based on a survey of 1,272 students aged 14–18, explores the impact of bullying on students' education. It uncovers where bullying happens and why some young people stay silent.

Bullying in the UK: An Overview

Bullying remains a significant issue affecting children and young people across the UK. While bullying often happens in school, digital technology means it can also continue beyond the school day through social media, messaging apps, online games and other online platforms.

This report combines the latest UK evidence with Save My Exams’ original research from 1,272 UK students aged 14–18 to provide an up-to-date picture of bullying in 2026.

According to the NSPCC (opens in a new tab), bullying is intentional behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes behaviours such as name-calling, hitting, pushing, spreading rumours, threatening or undermining someone. Bullying can happen anywhere, including at school, at home and online, and is usually repeated over a period of time, causing both physical and emotional harm.

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. It can happen through social media, messaging services, online games and mobile phones, meaning some children and young people may experience bullying wherever they are, rather than only during the school day.

The Save My Exams Bullying Survey 2026 was conducted in August 2026. The first part of this report explores students' experiences of bullying, where it happens, how it affects their studies and the barriers that may prevent young people from reporting it. These findings are then placed alongside recent national statistics and published research to provide a broader picture of bullying in the UK.

Key Takeaways

56.6% of UK students surveyed said they had experienced bullying, either currently or in the past.
52.0% of students who had experienced bullying said it affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision.
75.2% of students said worrying that reporting bullying would make things worse was a reason young people may stay silent.
Among students who identified a platform where they had experienced cyberbullying, 50.5% named Snapchat, followed by 45.9% who named WhatsApp.
Nationally, 21% of pupils in Years 7 to 13 reported being bullied during the previous 12 months, down from 24% in 2024, according to the Department for Education. (DfE, 2025)

How Common Is Bullying Among UK Students?

Who We Surveyed: Student Demographics

The Save My Exams Bullying Survey 2026 gathered responses from 1,272 UK students aged 14–18 in July and August 2026. Female students made up 62.6% of respondents and male students 33.4%. 1.0% identified as non-binary, while 3.0% preferred not to state their gender.

More than half of respondents (52.2%) were studying GCSEs, while 35.5% were studying A Levels and 9.8% were studying IGCSEs. A further 1.6% were studying other qualifications and 0.9% were studying the IB.

Only responses from students who confirmed they were based in the UK were included in the survey findings. For questions where students could select more than one answer, percentages may total more than 100%. A small number of internally inconsistent responses were excluded from the relevant calculations.

How Many Young People Have Experienced Bullying in the UK?

More than half (56.6%) of the UK students surveyed said they had experienced bullying, either currently or in the past.

Of the 1,272 students surveyed:

52.7% said they had experienced bullying in the past
3.9% said they were currently experiencing bullying
38.8% said they had not experienced bullying
4.6% preferred not to say

Most students who reported bullying described it as a past experience rather than something they were currently experiencing.

Bullying Prevalence by Study Level and Gender

Bullying prevalence was similar across the three largest qualification groups in the survey. The proportion who said they had experienced bullying either currently or in the past was:

57.6% of IGCSE students
57.3% of A Level students
55.3% of GCSE students

Current bullying was less common, although the figure was higher among IGCSE respondents:

9.6% of IGCSE students said they were currently experiencing bullying
3.3% of GCSE students said they were currently experiencing bullying
3.1% of A Level students said they were currently experiencing bullying

The IGCSE group was smaller, with 125 respondents, so the higher percentage should be treated with caution as it is based on a smaller sample.

There was a clearer difference between female and male respondents. Bullying either currently or in the past was reported by:

59.9% of female respondents
49.4% of male respondents

However, current bullying was reported at similar levels:

3.4% of female respondents
3.8% of male respondents

Where and How Students Are Bullied

In-person vs Cyberbullying Statistics

In-person bullying at school or college was by far the most commonly reported setting among students who had experienced or witnessed bullying.

Among respondents who identified where they had experienced or witnessed bullying:

89.2% identified bullying in person at school or college
42.4% identified social media
39.7% identified group chats
20.3% identified private messages, texts or DMs
18.6% said bullying had happened in person outside school or college
15.3% identified travelling to or from school
13.9% identified online gaming
5.8% selected somewhere else

Students could select more than one answer, so the figures reflect all the settings in which they had experienced or witnessed bullying.

Which Platforms Cyberbullying Happens On

Among students who identified a platform where they had experienced cyberbullying, Snapchat was the most commonly reported platform, followed by WhatsApp.

The platforms students identified were:

50.5% Snapchat
45.9% WhatsApp
32.2% TikTok
21.4% online games
20.7% Instagram
14.6% Discord
11.0% another platform
5.0% X (formerly Twitter)
4.3% YouTube
2.9% Reddit

Students could select more than one platform, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.

Types of Bullying Students Experience

Among students who identified the types of bullying they had experienced, name-calling or verbal abuse was the most commonly reported, followed by deliberate exclusion and rumours.

77.8% had experienced name-calling or verbal abuse
64.6% had experienced deliberate exclusion
51.6% had experienced rumours being spread about them
21.1% had experienced online trolling or harassment
19.7% had experienced physical bullying
17.8% had experienced photos or videos being shared without their consent
16.0% had experienced threats
6.8% selected another type of bullying

Students could select more than one type of bullying.

How Bullying Affects Students' Studies

The Save My Exams survey also explored whether students felt bullying affected their ability to study and whether academic pressure was associated with their experiences of bullying.

Effect on Ability to Focus on Studies and Revision

More than half of students who had experienced bullying said it had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision.

Among students with experience of bullying who gave an applicable response:

16.5% strongly agreed that bullying had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision
35.5% agreed
22.5% neither agreed nor disagreed
15.7% disagreed
9.9% strongly disagreed

Overall, 52.0% agreed or strongly agreed that bullying had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision, compared with 25.6% who disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Bullying During Exam Season and Academic Pressure

Students were more divided on whether bullying tends to worsen during exam season or other periods of academic pressure.

Among students with experience of bullying who gave an applicable response:

30.5% agreed or strongly agreed that bullying tends to get worse during exam season or periods of academic pressure
36.8% neither agreed nor disagreed
32.6% disagreed or strongly disagreed

There was therefore no clear consensus that bullying becomes worse during periods of academic pressure. Around three in ten students thought it did, while a similar proportion disagreed and just over a third were unsure.

Reporting and Support: The Student View

The survey also explored how seriously students feel schools and colleges take bullying, who students turn to for support and why some young people may choose not to report bullying.

Do Students Feel Schools Take Bullying Seriously?

Almost two-thirds of all students surveyed felt their school or college takes bullying seriously.

Across all 1,272 UK respondents:

25.6% strongly agreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously
38.1% agreed
24.7% neither agreed nor disagreed
8.4% disagreed
3.3% strongly disagreed

Overall, 63.6% agreed or strongly agreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously, while 11.7% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Views were less positive among students who had personally experienced bullying. Among this group, 55.1% agreed or strongly agreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously, compared with 63.6% of students overall.

Who Students Confide In

Parents and guardians were the people students most commonly said they had told about bullying.

Among students who gave an applicable response:

50.9% had told a parent or guardian
41.1% had told a friend
38.2% had told a teacher or other member of staff
21.9% said they had told no one
7.8% had reported bullying through an app or online platform
3.0% had told someone else

Students could select more than one person or reporting route.

While parents, friends and school staff were important sources of support, more than one in five of those who gave an applicable response said they had told no one about bullying.

Why Students Don't Report Bullying

Fear of making the situation worse was the most commonly identified reason why students may not report bullying.

Across all 1,272 students surveyed:

75.2% said students may worry that reporting bullying will make things worse
62.3% identified embarrassment as a reason
59.2% said students may not believe anything will change
18.3% said students may not know who to tell
8.8% identified another reason

Students could select more than one reason.

The findings suggest that fear of the consequences of reporting may be a greater barrier than not knowing where to seek help. Three-quarters of respondents identified concern about making things worse, compared with fewer than one in five who identified not knowing who to tell.

UK Bullying Prevalence: National Statistics

National Bullying Prevalence Rates

Recent national research shows that bullying continues to affect a significant proportion of children and young people across England and Wales. Although studies use different age groups and measures of bullying, they consistently show that many children experience bullying in person, online, or both.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that 34.9% of children aged 10 to 15 experienced at least one form of in-person bullying during the year ending March 2023. During the same period, 19.1% experienced at least one form of online bullying. (ONS, 2024)

More recent findings from the Department for Education's National Behaviour Survey found that 21% of pupils in Years 7 to 13 reported being bullied during the previous 12 months, down from 24% in 2024. Bullying was more commonly reported by younger pupils, affecting 25% of Key Stage 3 pupils, compared with 19% of Key Stage 4 pupils and 11% of Key Stage 5 pupils. (DfE, 2025)

The National Behaviour Survey also explored where bullying took place. Among pupils who reported being bullied, 87% said at least some incidents happened in person, while 29% said at least some bullying took place online. (DfE, 2025)

These national statistics provide important context for understanding bullying across England and Wales. As the surveys cover different age groups, time periods, and measures of bullying, their findings cannot be directly compared.

The Save My Exams survey adds to this picture, with 56.6% of students aged 14–18 saying they had experienced bullying either currently or in the past. It also provides further insight into where bullying happens, how it affects students' studies and revision, and why some young people may not report it.

The Wider Impact of Bullying

Bullying can affect much more than a child's relationships with their peers. Research shows that it can affect children's emotional wellbeing and their experience of school, while the Save My Exams survey also highlights the impact some students report on studying and revision.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Impacts

Bullying can have a significant emotional impact on children and young people. The Office for National Statistics found that 18.3% of children who experienced in-person bullying and 22.7% of those who experienced online bullying said the experience affected them "a lot" emotionally. (ONS, 2024)

The same research found that children who experienced bullying were also less likely to feel their school dealt with bullying effectively. Among children who had experienced online bullying, 52.9% felt their school dealt with bullying "not very well" or "not well at all", compared with 24.3% of children who had not experienced online bullying. For in-person bullying, the equivalent figures were 46.9% and 20.4%. (ONS, 2024)

Many children do not tell anyone about what they have experienced. The ONS found that 18.1% of children who experienced online bullying and 14.7% of those who experienced in-person bullying did not tell anyone. However, most said they had spoken to a parent or guardian about what had happened. (ONS, 2024)

The Save My Exams survey found a similar pattern, with parents and guardians the most commonly reported source of support. However, 21.9% of students who gave an applicable response said they had told no one about bullying.

Bullying, School Attendance and Attainment

Bullying can also affect children's engagement with school. Although national surveys cannot show that bullying directly causes lower educational attainment, bullying can contribute to school absence, which may in turn affect attainment.

The Save My Exams findings provide further insight into the impact on studying and revision. Among students who had experienced bullying and gave an applicable response, 52.0% agreed or strongly agreed that bullying had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision.

The survey also explored whether academic pressure may affect students' experiences of bullying, but found no clear consensus. 30.5% agreed or strongly agreed that bullying tends to get worse during exam season or periods of academic pressure, compared with 32.6% who disagreed or strongly disagreed. A further 36.8% neither agreed nor disagreed.

Anti-Bullying Support: Where to Get Help

Bullying can have a lasting impact on a child's wellbeing, confidence and education, but support is available. Children and young people who experience bullying should be encouraged to speak to a trusted adult. Parents, carers, teachers and schools all have an important role to play in recognising bullying, responding appropriately and helping children access the support they need.

Support Services

Several UK organisations provide free information, advice and support for children, young people, parents and educators affected by bullying.

Childline (opens in a new tab) offers confidential support for anyone under 19. Children and young people can speak to a trained counsellor about bullying, cyberbullying or any other concern online or by phone.

NSPCC (opens in a new tab) provides guidance for parents and carers on recognising bullying, supporting children who are being bullied and working with schools to resolve concerns. It also offers advice for children and young people experiencing bullying.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (opens in a new tab) provides information, practical advice and resources for children, families, schools and professionals. Its guidance covers different types of bullying, prevention strategies and approaches to creating safer school environments.

If a child is experiencing bullying, they do not have to deal with it alone. Seeking support can help ensure children and young people get the help they need.

Appendix: Full List of Statistics

The Save My Exams Bullying Survey 2026 gathered responses from 1,272 UK students aged 14–18.
62.6% of respondents were female, 33.4% were male, 1.0% identified as non-binary, and 3.0% preferred not to state their gender.
52.2% of respondents were studying GCSEs, 35.5% were studying A Levels, 9.8% were studying IGCSEs, 1.6% were studying other qualifications, and 0.9% were studying the IB.
56.6% of UK students surveyed said they had experienced bullying either currently or in the past.
52.7% said they had experienced bullying in the past, 3.9% said they were currently experiencing bullying, 38.8% said they had not experienced bullying, and 4.6% preferred not to say.
Bullying either currently or in the past was reported by 57.6% of IGCSE students, 57.3% of A Level students and 55.3% of GCSE students.
Current bullying was reported by 9.6% of IGCSE students, 3.3% of GCSE students and 3.1% of A Level students.
The IGCSE group included 125 respondents.
Bullying either currently or in the past was reported by 59.9% of female respondents and 49.4% of male respondents.
Current bullying was reported by 3.4% of female respondents and 3.8% of male respondents.
Among respondents who identified where bullying had taken place, 89.2% said they had experienced or witnessed bullying in person at school or college.
Among respondents who identified where they had experienced or witnessed bullying, 42.4% identified social media, 39.7% group chats and 20.3% private messages, texts or DMs.
Among respondents who identified where they had experienced or witnessed bullying, 18.6% identified in-person bullying outside school or college, 15.3% travelling to or from school and 13.9% online gaming.
Among respondents who identified where they had experienced or witnessed bullying, 5.8% selected somewhere else.
Among students who identified a platform where they had experienced cyberbullying, 50.5% identified Snapchat and 45.9% WhatsApp.
Among students who identified a platform where they had experienced cyberbullying, 32.2% identified TikTok, 21.4% online games, and 20.7% Instagram.
Among students who identified a platform where they had experienced cyberbullying, 14.6% identified Discord and 11.0% another platform.
Among students who identified a platform where they had experienced cyberbullying, 5.0% identified X (formerly Twitter), 4.3% YouTube and 2.9% Reddit.
Among students who identified the types of bullying they had experienced, 77.8% reported name-calling or verbal abuse.
Among students who identified the types of bullying they had experienced, 64.6% reported deliberate exclusion and 51.6% reported rumours being spread about them.
Among students who identified the types of bullying they had experienced, 21.1% reported online trolling or harassment and 19.7% reported physical bullying.
Among students who identified the types of bullying they had experienced, 17.8% reported photos or videos being shared without their consent and 16.0% reported threats.
Among students who identified the types of bullying they had experienced, 6.8% selected another type of bullying.
Among students with experience of bullying who gave an applicable response, 16.5% strongly agreed and 35.5% agreed that bullying had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision.
Among students with experience of bullying who gave an applicable response, 22.5% neither agreed nor disagreed that bullying had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision, 15.7% disagreed and 9.9% strongly disagreed.
Overall, 52.0% agreed or strongly agreed that bullying had affected their ability to focus on their studies or revision, compared with 25.6% who disagreed or strongly disagreed.
30.5% of students with experience of bullying who gave an applicable response agreed or strongly agreed that bullying tends to get worse during exam season or periods of academic pressure.
Among students with experience of bullying who gave an applicable response, 36.8% neither agreed nor disagreed that bullying tends to get worse during periods of academic pressure, while 32.6% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
Across all respondents, 25.6% strongly agreed and 38.1% agreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously.
Across all survey respondents, 24.7% neither agreed nor disagreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously, while 8.4% disagreed and 3.3% strongly disagreed.
Across all survey respondents, 63.6% agreed or strongly agreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously, while 11.7% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
Among students who had personally experienced bullying, 55.1% agreed or strongly agreed that their school or college takes bullying seriously.
Among students who gave an applicable response, 50.9% had told a parent or guardian about bullying, 41.1% had told a friend, and 38.2% had told a teacher or other member of staff.
Among students who gave an applicable response about who they had told about bullying, 21.9% said they had told no one.
Among students who gave an applicable response about who they had told about bullying, 7.8% had reported it through an app or online platform and 3.0% had told someone else.
75.2% of students surveyed said students may worry that reporting bullying will make things worse.
When asked why students may not report bullying, 62.3% of respondents identified embarrassment, while 59.2% said students may not believe anything will change.
When asked why students may not report bullying, 18.3% of respondents said students may not know who to tell and 8.8% identified another reason.
The ONS estimated that 34.9% of children aged 10 to 15 experienced at least one form of in-person bullying during the year ending March 2023, while 19.1% experienced at least one form of online bullying. (ONS, 2024)
21% of pupils in Years 7 to 13 reported being bullied during the previous 12 months in the Department for Education's National Behaviour Survey, down from 24% in 2024. (DfE, 2025)
Bullying was reported by 25% of Key Stage 3 pupils, 19% of Key Stage 4 pupils and 11% of Key Stage 5 pupils. (DfE, 2025)
Among pupils who reported being bullied, 87% said at least some incidents happened in person and 29% said at least some bullying took place online. (DfE, 2025)
18.3% of children who experienced in-person bullying and 22.7% of those who experienced online bullying said the experience affected them “a lot” emotionally. (ONS, 2024)
Among children who experienced online bullying, 52.9% felt their school dealt with bullying “not very well” or “not well at all”, compared with 24.3% of children who had not experienced online bullying. (ONS, 2024)
Among children who experienced in-person bullying, 46.9% felt their school dealt with bullying “not very well” or “not well at all”, compared with 20.4% of children who had not experienced in-person bullying. (ONS, 2024)
18.1% of children who experienced online bullying and 14.7% of those who experienced in-person bullying did not tell anyone about what had happened. (ONS, 2024)

References:

Primary Data

Save My Exams. (2026). Save My Exams Bullying Survey 2026.

Secondary Data

Department for Education. (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)(2025). (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)National Behaviour Survey 2024 to 2025. (opens in a new tab)

Office for National Statistics. (2024) (opens in a new tab) | Bullying and online experiences among children in England and Wales: year ending March 2023 (opens in a new tab)

Anti-Bullying Alliance (opens in a new tab)| We monitor pupil absence for indication of bullying. (opens in a new tab)

Helping Children Deal with Bullying & Cyberbullying | NSPCC (opens in a new tab)

Support organisations

NSPCC (opens in a new tab)

Childline (opens in a new tab)

Anti-Bullying Alliance (opens in a new tab)

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