A new nationwide survey by Tangere (Acquisition Apps, Inc.) has revealed alarming insights into the prevalence of bullying in the Philippines, both in-person and online.
Conducted on October 28-29, 2025, among 2,000 Filipino respondents aged 18 and above, the survey paints a troubling picture of how bullying continues to affect Filipinos’ well-being, particularly the youth.
According to the study, 68% of Filipinos said they have personally experienced bullying, whether in person or online. Among those who have been bullied, verbal abuse remains the most common form (86%), followed by social bullying (50%), physical bullying (42%), and cyberbullying (33%).Schools emerged as the primary setting for such incidents, with 78% of victims of physical bullying reporting that they were bullied within educational institutions. This underlines the urgent need to strengthen anti-bullying mechanisms and psychosocial support systems in schools.
Online harassment was also identified as a growing concern. Among cyberbullying victims, a staggering 91% said it occurred on Facebook, followed by reports of bullying on TikTok (40%), Instagram (34%), and gaming platforms (33%) such as Mobile Legends, Call of Duty, and Roblox.
Despite these alarming figures, many victims choose to remain silent. 53% of respondents said they ignored the bullying, while only 45% reported their experiences to parents, teachers, or authorities. Nearly half (49%) said they felt comfortable discussing their emotional or mental health struggles – leaving the other half hesitant to seek help or intervention.
Public confidence in institutional response remains divided: 52% believe that government and educational institutions are adequately addressing bullying, while 45% of Filipinos said heftier penalties are needed to deter offenders and ensure accountability.
The survey highlights how bullying, in all its forms, remains deeply intertwined with Filipinos’ psychosocial well-being. Respondents themselves identified solutions such as stricter punishments (45%), new or stronger anti-bullying and cyberbullying laws (14%), and more training for teachers, parents, and counselors (8%) to prevent and address cases early.
Conducted nationwide through the Tangere mobile app, the survey has a margin of error of ±2.83% at a 95% confidence level.