New Study Shows How New York Ranks for Bullying

Every October, schools and communities across the country shine a light on bullying. This year, a new study from Innerbody Research ranked all 50 states on how severe bullying is — and New York didn’t land in a great spot.

New York Ranks #12 for Highest Bullying Rates

According to the study, New York is the 12th worst state in the country when it comes to bullying. That puts us closer to the top of the list and while we didn’t make the top five, being just outside the top ten is not a good thing..

States Struggling the Most and the Least

Here are the five states where bullying is reported most often:

Louisiana
Alaska
Mississippi
West Virginia
Arkansas

Here are the states with the lowest rates:

North Dakota
Delaware
Massachusetts
Indiana
Maine

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Bullying Goes Beyond the Playground

The study found that bullying isn't just happening in middle school hallways. Nearly 30% of victims experience it in high school, and almost 20% of college students say they deal with it, too. Thanks to social media, it doesn’t stop when kids come home — 62% of people say they “often” or “always” see hurtful comments online.

The South Sees the Most Bullying But New York Still Has a Problem

States in the South reported the most bullying especially in places like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Even though New York isn’t in that region, our ranking shows we aren’t far behind when it comes to harassment and emotional harm.

What Can We Learn from Safer States?

Places like Delaware and North Dakota which ranked lowest for bullying offer some inspiration. Their schools, parents, and communities likely have stronger support systems in place.

Why This Matters for New Yorkers

Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or just someone who cares about kids’ well being, this study is a good reminder: bullying isn’t just a kid problem. It affects mental health, school performance, and even safety. Some states like Alaska reported high rates of students attempting suicide because of bullying. Go here to see how every state ranked when it comes to bullying.