FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Bullying can happen anywhere, anytime and can have a negative effect on anyone.
But more reports of bullying have been found at schools, on the school bus and through social media.
A new report lists South Carolina at number nine on the worst state for how schools handle bullying.
The National Education Association reports more than 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of being bullied.
Life Altering Behavioral Health Services in Florence offer services to students across the Pee Dee and for them this staggering statistic is no surprise.
Experts say people who bully are more likely dealing with poverty, a recent tragedy or problems with their academics.
Anthony Isler with Life Altering Behavioral Health Services says many of students who come to their office are victims of bullying.
Isler says parents should have frequent conversations with their kids about how their day went and should always monitor their social media use.
“Forty-three percent of children are bullied and those cases are not reported and I’m just not surprised of that because usually kids don’t want to be the tattle-tale, they don’t want to be bullied more and they don’t want to shine too much light on the situation,” mentioned Isler.
This year Florence School District One will put new anti-bullying programs at the forefront of each school.
School officials say this will help students speak out against bullying and embrace other people’s differences.