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How will teachers handle bullying? South African study finds they’re ill-prepared

The Conversation · 🇦🇺 public Australia · · 891 words · By Moeniera Moosa
Psychological Impact of Bullying Teacher Education Reform South African Education System
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What to know about Psychological Impact of Bullying

The author, a teacher educator, discusses a study on how the past experiences of pre-service teachers in South Africa with school bullying influence their professional perceptions. The article argues that teacher training programs should include structured reflection and evidence-based strategies to prevent the cycle of bystander inaction in classrooms.

Propaganda risk 20%
Claims checked 12
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Bullying is a widespread global problem, with extensive research across countries showing that no school is immune.

Why it matters

In South Africa, the scale is particularly concerning, with studies indicating that between a fifth and over half of learners have experienced or witnessed school violence.

Common ground

This means many pre-service teachers will enter training having experienced bullying at school themselves.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

The author, a teacher educator, discusses a study on how the past experiences of pre-service teachers in South Africa with school bullying influence their professional perceptions. The article argues that teacher training programs should include structured reflection and evidence-based strategies to prevent the cycle of bystander inaction in classrooms.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/how-will-teachers-handle-bullying-south-african-stud…

analyticsAnalysis

20%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 60% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 12 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 5
help Insufficient Evidence 2
schedule Pending 2
check_circle Corroborated 1
verified Verified By Reference 1
verified Verified 1
info
Claim 1: “The results revealed that most had experienced bullying as bystanders (66%).”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific result of 66% for bystanders is found only in the single web search result reporting on the specific South African study.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 4 days ago ... ... actors, namely the perpetrator, victim and bystander. It's ... The results revealed that most had experienced bullying as bystanders (66%).
https://theconversation.com/how-will-teachers-handle-bullyin…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — (2019) classified cyberbullying participants as bystanders (75%), bully ... - Previous experience of victimization by bullying. - There were no ...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8194816/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 10, 2026 ... Training for teachers and parents to prevent and respond to cyberbullying and bullying, particularly for vulnerable groups. #MasonAnonymous # ...
https://www.facebook.com/WHO/posts/did-you-know-more-than-30…
check_circle
Claim 2: “Researchers have noted that bullying involves three key actors, namely the perpetrator, victim and bystander.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web sources confirm the three-actor model of bullying consisting of the perpetrator (bully), victim, and bystander.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing, comments, or threats, in order to abuse, aggressively dominate, or intimidate one or more others.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 29, 2026 · Three widely recognized roles in bullying situations are victim, bully, and bystander. However, bullying situations are rarely simple. Youth ...
https://www.facebook.com/61555170705590/posts/bullying-is-no…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Bullying and cyberbullying are serious public health concerns that involve more roles beyond the bully and the victim (pro‐bullies, defenders, bystanders).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12068039/
info
Claim 3: “Data from 305 multiple-choice questionnaires established the frequency of their exposure to bullying at school when they were learners themselves.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific detail about '305 multiple-choice questionnaires' used to establish exposure to bullying among pre-service teachers is found only in one specific web search result reporting on a South African study.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Year 305 (CCCV) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Constantius and Valerius (or, less frequently, year 1058 Ab urbe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/305
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — 305 may refer to: 305 (number) 305 AD, a year 305 BC, a year
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/305_(disambiguation)
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Dan Cooper, best known as D. B. Cooper, was the alias of an unidentified man who hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, a Boeing 727 aircraft flying from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washingt…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._B._Cooper
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
Claim 4: “A minority (3%) admitted to bullying”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered or provided for this claim.
info
Claim 5: “In South Africa, the scale is particularly concerning, with studies indicating that between a fifth and over half of learners have experienced or witnessed school violence.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific statistic regarding 'a fifth and over half of learners' is found in one web search result from a specific study report. Other results discuss school violence in general or in different regions (Lesotho), but do not corroborate this specific range for South Africa.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — African studies is the study of Africa, especially the continent's cultures and societies (as opposed to its geology, geography, zoology, etc.). The field includes the study of Africa's history (pre-c…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_studies
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coloureds (Afrikaans: Kleurlinge) are multiracial people in South Africa, Namibia and to a smaller extent Zimbabwe and Zambia. Their ancestry descends from the interracial mixing that occurred between…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coloureds
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. Its nine provinces are bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) of coastline that stre…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 6: “A dominant (64%) perception was that “there is no avoiding bullying … (it’s) a growing pandemic”.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 7: “79% said they believed their experiences would make them “better teachers””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 8: “Some (18%) identified as victims”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of irrelevant search results for 'OnlyFans' and does not contain any data regarding the 18% victim rate from the study.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — OnlyFans is the social platform revolutionizing creator and fan connections. The site is inclusive of artists and content creators from all genres and allows them to monetize their content while devel…
https://onlyfans.com/?return_to=/download+android+app+store
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — All creators and their fans (18+) deserve a safe and inclusive platform to connect and share.
https://start.onlyfans.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — From music and lifestyle to travel, history, and bold personalities, these creators are bringing fresh perspectives to OnlyFans and OFTV. If you’re looking to discover exciting new creators, here are …
https://blog.onlyfans.com/free-onlyfans-accounts/
info
Claim 9: “A group of 56 respondents completed open-ended questionnaires about how they thought their experiences might affect them as teachers.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific detail about '56 respondents' completing open-ended questionnaires regarding their future as teachers is found only in one specific web search result reporting on the same South African study.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The .56-56 Spencer (14×22mmRF) was an American black powder rifle cartridge. It was the first self-contained metallic cartridge for a repeating rifle. Designed for the Spencer repeating rifle and car…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.56-56_Spencer
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — 56 may refer to: 56 (number), the natural number following 55 and preceding 57 One of the years 56 BC, AD 56, 1956, 2056 56.com, a Chinese online video platform Fifty-Six, Arkansas, a city in the Un…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/56
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — 56 Days is an American thriller television series developed by Karyn Usher and Lisa Zwerling for Amazon Prime Video. Based on Catherine Ryan Howard's 2022 novel of the same name, and executive produce…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/56_Days
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 10: “One theory about learning, Social Learning Theory, posits that behaviour is learned through observation and imitation.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia and academic research summaries, confirm that Social Learning Theory (developed by Albert Bandura) posits that behavior is learned through observation and imitation.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Constructivism is a theory that suggests that learners do not passively acquire knowledge through direct instruction. Instead, they construct their understanding through experiences and social interac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(philosophy_of_…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Social cognitive theory (SCT), used in psychology, education, and communication, holds that portions of an individual's knowledge acquisition can be directly related to observing others within the con…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_cognitive_theory
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Social learning theory is a psychological theory of social behavior that explains how people acquire new behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions through observing and imitating others. It states…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_learning_theory
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
Claim 11: “Twelve percent (12%) of participants said they had assumed a combination of roles (bystander, victim, bully).”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered or provided for this claim.
verified
Claim 12: “The Theory of Planned Behaviour argues that individuals act when they feel motivated and confident.”
VERIFIED
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is confirmed by Wikipedia and ScienceDirect. While the claim simplifies the theory (which specifically focuses on attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control), the evidence confirms that 'intentions represent a person's motivation' and that perceived behavioral control relates to the confidence/ability to act.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Attachment theory posits that infants need to form a close relationship with at least one primary caregiver to ensure their survival and to develop healthy social and emotional functioning. It was fir…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theory
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Behavioural change theories are attempts to explain why human behaviours change. These theories cite environmental, personal, and behavioural characteristics as the major factors in behavioural determ…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioural_change_theories
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a psychological theory that links beliefs to behavior. The theory maintains that three core components, namely, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_planned_behavior
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.