Alarming new data shows extent of bullying crisis in Australian schools

A mother who lost her only child to suicide has turned her grief into action as new data shows one in four Australian children face bullying.

Brisbane’s Mia Bannister with son Ollie, who took his life at age 14

One in four Australian children have experienced bullying, while bullying concerns among Australian parents have tripled in the past two years.

An annual survey commissioned by Triple P – a parenting program designed to help raise kids – has revealed rampant rates of bullying still prevalent across the country.

The survey with 1506 parents of kids aged 12 and under was run between May 30 and June 11 this year and comes during Bullying No Way Week – a national week of action against bullying in schools.

Mother Mia Bannister and founder of Ollie’s Echo – a charity she started after her son Oliver Hughes, 14, tragically took his own life last year – has shared her experience going to schools to combat bullying.

“I lost Ollie on the ninth of January, 2024 to suicide after a battle with anorexia and along with that came bullying at his school,” Ms Bannister said.

She called it a “lifequake moment” where losing her son turned her life “completely upside down”.

“I continue to feel the aftershocks of that every single day, but I had to turn my pain into purpose. Otherwise I think I would have been dead last year as well – I mean, Ollie was my only child.”

Mia Smith, 13, Jack Kenned, 14, Harvey Smith, 6, and Mia Bannister. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Ms Bannister said Ollie’s Echo led her to speak at multiple schools, including 685 year 7 and 8s at Narangba Valley State High School.

“That was all about talking about a culture of kindness, because that’s where it started with Ollie being bullied at school, and then online as well.”

Ms Bannister said every story she had heard of a child that had taken their life involved social media or bullying.

“I developed these kindness kits, and they’re 12cm by 12cm postcards that will come in a little box.”

She said she had told people it cost nothing to be kind.

“The kits talk about kindness, starting with you, and being gentle with yourself, and speaking to yourself the way you’d speak to a friend, and it’s okay to ask for help.”

Triple P International Country Director Carol Markie-Dadds said childhood bullying was worsening.

“The ongoing news headlines and more than 1600 submissions to the Australian Government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review are evidence of bullying’s pervasive and devastating long-term impacts on children, families, and communities,” she said.

“Bullying can seriously impact a child’s mental health and wellbeing throughout their school years and well into adulthood.

“The mental health implications are significant, with rising concerns about children’s emotional resilience and social development.

Originally published as Alarming new data shows extent of bullying crisis in Australian schools