Survey finds over 40 percent of NYC students are involved in cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying incidents within New York City public schools have significantly escalated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced students to rely heavily on digital devices for communication and learning. A recent citywide survey of students reveals that approximately 42% of respondents experience regular harassment or intimidation from peers online. This marks an increase from 35% reported in 2019. Only a quarter of students indicated they had not encountered any instances of cyberbullying at their schools.

The insights from the survey have raised concerns among educational officials. Mark Rampersant, the city’s chief official responsible for school safety, emphasized the detrimental consequences of cellphone use among youth, citing distractions and the potential for cyberbullying as critical issues. He underscored a pressing concern regarding the impact of these devices on students’ mental health.

In light of these findings, New York City’s Department of Education is poised to implement a new statewide policy that bans cellphone use in schools. This initiative is intended to mitigate the risks associated with mobile device usage among students. The survey also highlighted a gender disparity; female students were more likely to report experiences of cyberbullying compared to their male counterparts, and middle school students reported higher incidences than high school students.

Data from the previous school year indicated that 43% of students had encountered bullying online. Following that period, a number of schools began instituting policies to restrict cellphone usage, driven by recommendations from former Schools Chancellor David Banks. By the end of the last academic year, approximately 800 schools had adopted measures to limit device usage.

The statewide ban, championed by Governor Kathy Hochul and approved by the state legislature, extends beyond classroom restrictions to encompass lunchtime and other free periods—times when bullying may be more prevalent. Historical precedents in other districts suggest a potential positive outcome from such policies.

The 2025 NYC School Survey, conducted between February 10 and April 11, saw participation from more than 355,000 students, along with 440,000 families and 62,000 teachers. This data aims to assist school leaders in enhancing their educational programs and provides a framework for assessing school quality. Notably, 68% of participants expressed that their peers treat each other with respect—an increase of 9 percentage points since 2019. Furthermore, over 80% reported feeling safe within school environments.

Regarding parent engagement, an impressive 96% of families expressed satisfaction with the education their children received last year, although they indicated a desire for improvements in areas such as afterschool programs, smaller class sizes, and more experiential learning opportunities.

New restrictions on cellphone usage are set to take effect on the first day of school, September 4. The NYC Public Schools emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping the educational landscape, expressing gratitude for parental involvement in the survey process. Continued monitoring and evaluation will be crucial to assess the long-term impacts of these new policies on student wellbeing and school culture.