Global estimates reveal one in three students experience bullying, with experts stressing the urgent need for early detection and preventative measures in schools to protect children’s mental wellbeing, especially those with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Bullying remains one of the most persistent threats to children’s mental health, and the scale of the problem is stark. UNESCO estimates that roughly one in three students worldwide has experienced school bullying, underscoring how widespread the issue is across regions and income levels. The organisation says the damage goes beyond hurt feelings, affecting school performance, attendance and long-term wellbeing.
Celso Arango, a member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine in Spain, said half of children who are bullied never tell a parent, friend, classmate or teacher. Speaking during a scientific session at the academy, he argued that schools must become a key setting for spotting early warning signs of mental health problems and preventing them from worsening. He said cooperation between health and education systems is essential if children are to receive help before difficulties become entrenched.
Arango also highlighted that children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental conditions face a sharply higher risk of bullying. In a study in the Community of Madrid involving 1,608 pupils with special educational needs linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, the likelihood of being bullied was almost six times higher than among their peers. The risk rose even further when language or social communication difficulties were present, and in some diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorders, it was nearly nine times higher.
His warning extended beyond the classroom and into the digital habits of teenagers. Citing Spain’s ESTUDES 2025 survey, he said 14- to 18-year-olds spend an average of 5.1 hours online on weekdays and 6.7 hours at weekends. He said endless scrolling on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram can shape attention, reward pathways and emotional health, contributing to anxiety, low frustration tolerance and a stronger fear of missing out. His central message was that child and adolescent mental health cannot be addressed only when young people reach a clinic; prevention must begin much earlier, especially in schools.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
