Bullying hasn’t disappeared in the digital age, but it has changed shape. While headlines often suggest cyberbullying is the biggest threat, Canadian research tells a more nuanced story. This article helps parents understand what the numbers actually mean, why definitions matter, and how online and in-person peer aggression really intersect in young people’s lives.

A teen recently told us, ‘Adults are the biggest bullies, especially in politics, where aggression pays.’ His peers applauded because they knew it was true. Kids are watching adults preach kindness while modeling hypocrisy. If we want youth to believe bullying is unacceptable, it starts with us proving it. The inconvenient truth? Too many adults are failing them.