TL;DR

Bullying—face-to-face and online—is rising across SA schools, with frequent viral videos and growing parental concern. Provinces are publicly condemning incidents and launching probes, and the National School Safety Framework sets minimum safety standards. Parents and schools should use clear policies, rapid reporting, restorative support and legal tools where needed. For some learners, Curro Online has provided a safer, structured alternative that reduces exposure to physical bullying while keeping teaching and peer connection intact.

Why this matters now (2025 snapshot)

Incidents keep surfacing in the news. Recent cases include departmental probes in the Eastern Cape after a viral video of a learner assault, and Gauteng suspensions/assault charges following filmed attacks.
Victims and families are speaking out. On September 11, 2025, Cape Argus/IOL reported a mother’s plea after persistent bullying of her Grade-9 daughter in Cape Town.
Provinces are condemning violence. KZN Education has issued statements condemning bullying/violence and outlining follow-up actions.
Research flags a broader climate problem. A recent study summary highlights increasing bullying, violence, and vandalism disrupting teaching/learning in SA primary schools.

What counts as bullying (and where it happens)

Bullying is repeated, intentional harm—physical, verbal, social (exclusion), or cyberbullying. It happens in corridors, bathrooms, buses, waiting areas and online spaces. The national guidance page for learners lists the typical hotspots and patterns (e.g., group targeting).

Common Forms of Bullying (quick reference)

Verbal bullying: Teasing, name-calling and insults (the most frequently reported type in school surveys).
Physical bullying: Hitting, pushing, tripping, and other forms of aggression.
Social/relational bullying: Spreading rumours, social exclusion, damaging friendships or reputation.
Cyberbullying: Posting or sharing hurtful messages/images, threats, impersonation, doxxing. South African data from the National School Violence Study indicates about one in five learners experienced cyberbullying in the prior year.
Racist & homophobic bullying: Targeting a learner’s race, language, ethnicity or perceived sexual orientation/gender expression (often overlaps with social and cyber forms)

Key Risk Factors & Contributing Issues in the South African Context

Socio-economic factors

Learners from lower-SES households and those in schools serving low-SES communities face higher odds of regular bullying.
Within-school inequality (big gaps between more and less affluent learners) also raises victimisation risk.

School climate & environment

A negative/hostile school climate (weak sense of belonging, unfair treatment) correlates with higher bullying; a positive climate is protective.
Recent South African reporting shows community concern that, in some cases, perpetrators are protected or consequences are delayed, resulting in victims transferring schools or suffering in silence. Use this as a prompt to strengthen transparent procedures and communication.

The “bully-victim” cycle

Many perpetrators have also been victims, creating a dual role that perpetuates aggression across contexts.

Demographic factors

Gender: Boys are more likely to be both perpetrators and victims (with girls experiencing more indirect/relational forms).
Age/grade: Bullying is more frequent in primary and early high school; overt physical bullying tends to decline with age while subtler forms can persist.

Societal violence “spilling into” schools

High levels of community violence are reflected in school environments, with multiple provinces investigating viral incidents and issuing condemnations.

The Impact of School Bullying

For victims

Psychological & emotional: Increased risk of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, loneliness and suicidal thoughts/behaviours.
Academic: Lower engagement, school avoidance, concentration problems and declining performance.
Physical health: Sleep problems, headaches, stomach aches, and stress-related symptoms.

For bullies

Higher likelihood of other risky behaviours (e.g., substance use, violence) and risk of continued aggression into adulthood (including domestic violence).

For bystanders

Witnessing bullying is linked with fear, guilt and anxiety; it normalises harm unless schools teach safe upstander responses.

For the school environment

A climate of fear and disrespect undermines teaching and learning, with measurable drops in academic outcomes where bullying is frequent.

What the law says (South Africa)

National School Safety Framework (NSSF): Minimum standards and processes for prevention, reporting and follow-up in schools. Make sure your school policy aligns with the NSSF.
Cybercrimes Act (Act 19 of 2020): Criminalises certain harmful data messages and enables protection orders for online harms. Useful for cyberbullying, threats and harmful disclosures.
Protection from Harassment Act (2011): Lets victims (or guardians) obtain protection orders—including for electronic harassment.

Tip for parents: Keep screenshots/URLs/time stamps. Report in-app and to the school; consider SAPS or legal remedies where there are threats or harmful disclosures.

Real-world signals & recent responses

Eastern Cape: Department officials visited a school after a viral assault video; a separate probe into a bus incident was announced with timelines for findings.
Gauteng: Seven girls in a Bedfordview case faced suspensions and court; provincial statements emphasised accountability.
KZN: Department condemned bullying in specific schools and outlined steps to support affected learners.

How schools can respond this term (policy → practice)

1) Tighten the policy & procedures

Name physical, verbal, social and cyber bullying explicitly.
Align with NSSF; define reporting channels for learners, staff, and parents.

2) Train and brief

Short staff briefings on early signs, documentation, and de-escalation; include visuals of online/cyber cases and reporting steps.
Tutor-group micro-lessons; parent webinars with Q&A.

3) Respond fast, document well

Triage: Is anyone unsafe now? Separate parties; note injuries; contact caregivers.
Evidence: save screenshots, device details, witness statements; follow the NSSF incident register conventions.

4) Support & restore

Offer counselling to victims; use restorative practices where appropriate (never at the expense of safety).
For repeated/serious harm: escalate disciplinary action and consider legal steps (e.g., harassment protection orders).

5) Communicate wisely

Avoid circulating videos internally; limit access to those handling the case; discourage community resharing (it amplifies harm).

What parents and guardians can do (scripts + checklist)

Start the conversation (no blame):

“What’s one great and one tough thing that happened at school/online today?”
“If a friend was targeted, how could we help safely?”

If your child is being bullied:

Document (dates, places, messages).
Email phase head: facts only + request for next steps under the school’s policy/NSSF.
For cyberbullying: report in-app, block, collect evidence; consider a protection order if threats persist.

Checklist

Clear home plan for reporting incidents
Calm drop-off routine if anxiety rises
Trusted adult at school identified
Limits on sharing/resharing harmful content
Access to counselling/GP if sleep or mood crashes

What learners can do (and say)

Document safely: Save messages/screens; tell a trusted adult.
Exit lines: “Not cool—I’m out.” / “This breaks our school rules.”
Ally moves: Don’t like/share attack clips; check in with the target; report together.

Special focus: Cyberbullying

Why it’s different: It’s persistent, public, and portable (home follows). The Cybercrimes Act enables action against threatening or harmful data messages and allows protection orders—useful when school discipline isn’t enough.

Setup checklist (at home)

Private accounts, limited DMs
Location off; strong passwords & recovery
Monthly “app review” with a parent
Screenshots + report/block ready

When a change of environment helps: Curro Online as a safer option

For some families, a high-quality online school can break the cycle by removing the daily exposure to physical bullying while keeping live teaching, routine, friendships and clubs. Curro Online delivers live-taught classes via timetable, with virtual labs/libraries and clubs that help learners stay connected from the calm comfort of home. Schools managed by Curro also operate under a Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy framework. (Online learning isn’t a cure-all—schools still intervene—but for certain cases it’s a practical path to safety and academic continuity.)

Red flags & when to escalate

Persistent avoidance of school, sleep disruption, panic, or talk of self-harm → contact a clinician urgently.
Threats of violence or sexual images shared/coerced → preserve evidence, report to SAPS, and seek legal protection.

Frequently Asked Questions about School Bullying

What is considered school bullying?
School bullying is repeated, intentional aggressive behavior where a real or perceived power imbalance exists. It can take several forms, including physical violence, verbal taunts, social exclusion, and online harassment (cyberbullying).

How widespread is the problem of bullying in South African schools?
Statistics show that school bullying is a significant problem in South Africa. Studies, such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), have indicated that a substantial percentage of students experience bullying regularly, with some reports suggesting that as many as one in five students has been a victim of cyberbullying alone.

What are the most common types of bullying?
The most frequent forms of bullying are verbal, such as teasing and name-calling. However, physical bullying (hitting, pushing), social or relational bullying (spreading rumors, exclusion), and cyberbullying are also serious concerns in South African schools.

Are certain students more at risk of being bullied?
Research suggests several risk factors. Students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, those in schools with a negative climate, and boys (who are more likely to be both victims and perpetrators) can be at higher risk. Bullying is often most frequent in primary and early high school grades.

What are the long-term effects of bullying on a student?
Victims of bullying are at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. Their academic performance can suffer, and they may develop physical health problems related to stress. The bullies themselves are also at risk for future negative behaviors, such as substance abuse and violence in adulthood.

What should I do if I suspect my child is being bullied?
The first step is to create a safe space for open communication with your child. Listen to their experiences without judgment, document the incidents, and report the issue to the school's administration, such as a teacher, principal, or school governing body.

How can schools effectively prevent bullying?
Schools can combat bullying by fostering a positive and inclusive school culture, implementing comprehensive anti-bullying programs, and providing training for teachers to identify and intervene in bullying situations. Involving students in creating these policies is also a key strategy.

What is the role of bystanders in a bullying situation?
Bystanders have a powerful role to play. Instead of silently watching, students can become "upstanders" by safely supporting the victim, reporting the incident to an adult, and making it clear that bullying behavior is not acceptable.

Is sharing a bullying video “raising awareness”?
No—newsrooms and departments warn that resharing harms victims and can be chargeable under certain laws. Report, don’t repost.

What if the school doesn’t act?
Escalate to the district/provincial office with your documentation. For ongoing online harms, consider protection orders and report under the Cybercrimes Act.

What is South Africa's Department of Basic Education doing about bullying?
The Department of Basic Education has established a National School Safety Framework to guide schools in creating a safe learning environment. However, the implementation and effectiveness of anti-bullying policies can vary from school to school.

Can a learner recover academically after bullying?
With safety, counselling, and a steady plan (sometimes including online schooling), most learners stabilise and regain confidence.

Where can parents and students find help and support for bullying?
Support can be found through school counselors, social workers, and psychologists. Additionally, organizations like Childline South Africa and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) offer helplines and resources for young people in crisis.

One-page action plan (print for your staffroom/parent hub)

School

Policy updated (incl. cyber) & aligned to NSSF
10-min staff brief + tutor micro-lesson
Incident form + evidence checklist live
Counselling pathway + caregiver comms template
Clear stance on not resharing videos

Parent

Evidence kit (screenshots, dates, names)
Email template to school (facts + request)
Device safety basics (privacy, DMs, location off)

Learner

Two trusted adults identified
Exit lines practised
Don’t repost; report and support

Conclusion

Bullying in South Africa is prevalent and evolving—from verbal and physical aggression to social exclusion and cyberbullying. Risk is shaped by school climate, socio-economic pressures, age/gender patterns, and broader community violence. The consequences are serious for victims, perpetrators, bystanders and the whole school.

It takes schools, parents, communities and policymakers working together—consistent policies aligned to the National School Safety Framework, rapid reporting and documentation, restorative support plus proportionate consequences, and lawful remedies for severe or online harms.

Every child deserves to learn without fear. When we build cultures of belonging, fairness and accountability, we protect wellbeing today and unlock South Africa’s future tomorrow.

School Bullying in South Africa