The Good Childhood Report 2024, published by The Children’s Society, provides an in-depth look into the well-being of children in the UK, drawing from the Household Survey and consultations with children and young people. One of the most concerning findings in the report is the prevalence of bullying, which continues to affect the happiness and well-being of many young people.
According to the report, 21% of children in the UK report being unhappy with their experience of bullying. Bullying is identified as one of the most significant factors contributing to low life satisfaction among children, with those who have experienced bullying reporting much lower happiness compared to their peers.
The report said:
“School safety: the UK ranked low in terms of school safety measures. It had the sixth highest proportion of students feeling unsafe attending school, out of 24 countries for which these data were available. It was also the country with the second highest proportion of students reporting three or more safety risks out of 23 countries, and the country with the second highest level of bullying in Europe (out of 27 countries).”
What is particularly troubling is how children in the UK fare compared to those in other countries. The report references data from the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which shows that children in the UK are more likely to experience bullying than their peers in many other developed countries. Specifically, 25% of 15-year-olds in the UK reported being bullied at least a few times a month, which is higher than the OECD average of 23%. This places the UK in a worrying position when it comes to bullying on the global stage.
Bullying in the UK happens both in school and online, with children facing a variety of harmful behaviours. The long-term impact of bullying on mental health and emotional well-being cannot be overstated, with many young people feeling the effects long after the bullying has occurred.
The Good Childhood Report is based on extensive data collection from the annual Household Survey of children aged 10 to 17 and incorporates case studies and expert analysis to provide a comprehensive view of the challenges children face. The report also makes recommendations for action to improve children's lives.
You can access the full report here.
The findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and communities to redouble efforts to tackle bullying in the UK and bring about lasting change to ensure every child feels safe and supported.
Find resources and training to help you understand bullying better here.