Bullying in schools, how it’s changed and how to handle it

More than one in 10 teenagers in Irish secondary schools experience bullying. That could be three in every class, more than a dozen in every year group. Second year is now recognised as the danger year.

It can happen in school, or outside it, on social media or in person. For her summer-long series, Irish Times parenting columnist Jen Hogan talked to parents of bullied children, adults whose lives have been impacted negatively by school bullying and to the children themselves. It’s eye-opening.

For this podcast she also talked to an expert on the ground, a school principal, Craig Petrie from East Glendalough School in Wicklow Town. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Useful contacts for help and advice:

• Pieta House (1800 247 247)
• Jigsaw (116 123)
• Childline (1800 666 666)
• Barnardos has resources about bullying for young people
• Serious instances of bullying may be reported to Tusla or the Garda