Stop Bullying: Speak Up [downloadable] [video]

Key Findings

• The vast majority of 9-, 10-, and 11-year-olds report having experienced bullying in some manner, whether as a witness, a perpetrator, a victim, or someone who has tried to help.
• Most 9- to 11-year-olds say caring about others is “very” important to them; but one in four say it is not very important, and most put other priorities ahead of caring.
• More 9- to 11-year-olds say caring about others is a priority to themselves than say it is a priority for their parents.
• Values matter. Those who consider “caring about others” to be “very” important are far more likely to do kind things for other kids, and far less likely to be bullies.
• More than eight in ten 9- to 11-year-olds say they have gone out of their way to do something kind for another kid who was having a tough time, and nearly half (46%) say they have done so “many times.”
• Most 9- to 11-year-olds say that when it comes to learning how to treat people with kindness, they have good adult role models close to home, but not in our nation’s leadership.
• The main thing stopping children from reaching out to other kids is not knowing what to do or say.
• Children say there is a big role for adults to play in helping kids be kinder to one another.