Nationwide Alarm: Bullying Soars in Turkish Schools
turkey-school-bullies
Bullying—long recognized as one of the most persistent threats to child well-being in Türkiye—has now reached a scale that experts describe as deeply concerning. Official statistics show that 13.8% of children experience bullying at least once a month, underscoring a problem with far-reaching social, emotional, and academic consequences.
The rise of digital communication has added another layer of complexity: cyberbullying is spreading rapidly, widening the spaces in which harmful behaviors occur. In response, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of National Education, and the Ministry of Health have joined forces, launching a year-long set of educational, counseling, and digital awareness schemes throughout 2025. Their combined effort aims to create a coordinated national shield against bullying.
Scope of the Problem: Gender Differences and the Shadow World of Cyberbullying
According to reporting by GerçekGündem, bullying cases demonstrate measurable gender disparities. Based on 2022 data, the prevalence of bullying was slightly higher among girls (14.2%) compared with boys (13.4%). Specialists believe that media attention has helped increase public awareness, yet caution that a large share of incidents—nearly 70%—occur outside school environments.
This off-campus pattern highlights where most children are vulnerable: social media platforms, messaging groups, online gaming spaces, neighborhoods, and unsupervised peer interactions. These settings often remain invisible to adults, making early intervention more challenging.
A National Response: Three Ministries Build a Massive Protection Network
Facing rising concerns, the government has created an interconnected strategy engaging millions of children, parents, and educators across the country.
Ministry of National Education (MEB): The Front Line in Schools
Through nationwide guidance and counseling services, MEB has assumed a central role in prevention efforts. During the 2024–2025 school year, the ministry delivered anti-bullying training to 6.39 million students and more than 60,000 teachers.
MEB also issued the “School Violence Prevention Circular,” which mandates psychosocial education programs focused on emotional regulation, anger management, and communication skills. These initiatives aim to develop safer school environments and to equip students with the tools needed to handle conflicts before they escalate.
Ministry of Family and Social Services: National Training and Digital Support
The ministry’s outreach spans all 81 provinces, providing child-focused education sessions that reached 9,504 children in 2025 alone. For parents, the widely used “İlk Öğretmenim Ailem” mobile app delivers practical guidance on recognizing bullying behaviors, responding effectively, and creating safe communication channels at home. With over one million users, the application has become one of Türkiye’s most important digital tools for parent-child awareness.
Ministry of Health: Counseling and Emotional Skills Development
Health services—particularly through Healthy Life Centers—provide multidimensional support for victims and families. In the first nine months of 2025, the Ministry of Health recorded 5,323 individuals who sought counseling due to bullying.
Beyond medical and psychological evaluation, the ministry offers group programs, such as the EASE Program, which focuses on strengthening emotional intelligence, stress management, and empathy among children.