Increased Bullying Risk for Specific Groups of Youth

Although most school-aged children are exposed to bullying in some form, certain sub-groups of adolescents are at higher risk for becoming the victims of bullying.

LGBTQ+ Youth and Bullying

In 2020, a nationwide survey of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) youth reports that 52% who were enrolled in middle or high school experienced being bullied either in person or electronically in the past year. One in three (33%) reported being bullied in-person and 42% were bullied electronically. Bullying was reported more often by LGBTQ middle school (65%) compared to high school students (49%).

This may be due, in part, to a culture in schools that tolerates bullying. Research has shown that a large percentage of bullying among students involves the use of homophobic teasing and slurs, and a national school climate survey reported that teachers intervene less when homophobic remarks are made in comparison to racist and sexist remarks.

LGBTQ+ youth and their heterosexual peers need to be in a school environment that promotes acceptance, and where the use of this language is not tolerated. If LGBTQ+ youth are the victims of violence, they need support from their families, schools, and communities so that the violence is not perpetuated.

School staff and clinicians should also take a trauma-informed approach to caring for LGBTQ+ youth who are victims of violence to better understand their feelings and reactions to violence or hate crimes.

Click here to view a CHOP fact sheet with need-to-know information and strategies for caregivers to handle bullying of LGBTQ+ youth.

Weight-related Bullying

Children who are heavier than their peers are more likely to be targeted for bullying. It’s just
one visible difference among many that can draw attention and make a child vulnerable to
harassment from aggressive peers.

Research suggests that overweight and obese youth are also victims of bias and stereotyping by educators and even parents. Because of their vulnerable age, the consequences of bullying due to physical appearance span social, emotional, and academic outcomes, in addition to the adverse medical outcomes overweight and obese children already face.

Click here to view a CHOP fact sheet with warning signs and actionable tips to help youth victims of weight-related bullying.

Bullying Due to Skin and Hair Conditions

Skin and hair conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis or alopecia can make
children stand out from their peers and leave them vulnerable to bullying. This can be
especially distressing in late elementary and middle school, when peer pressure to look
and dress the same tends to rise.