Colombia Among OECD Countries Where Students Feel Loneliest

A new study reveals that Colombia ranks among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries where teenage students feel the loneliest. The research, which examined the living conditions of 15-year-old students, indicates that the nation has the seventh-highest rate of students reporting feelings of loneliness at school, with 16.8% of them expressing this sentiment.

This figure surpasses the OECD average of 13.3%, underscoring the severity of the issue in Colombia's educational system. The study also highlights a strong correlation between bullying and feelings of loneliness. In Colombia, 27.7% of students who frequently experience bullying report feeling lonely, compared to 13.8% of students who are not bullied.

This disparity suggests that victims of bullying are approximately twice as likely to feel isolated within their school communities. The research further indicates that cyberbullying, while affecting only 3.6% of students, can prolong the reach of harassment beyond the school environment, with some teenagers experiencing online bullying through social media platforms and mobile devices.

The impact of bullying extends beyond social well-being, as it also affects academic performance. Victims of bullying missed more school days and scored lower in reading and mathematics compared to their non-victimized peers. Family support appears to play a significant role in mitigating the effects of bullying, with students who receive strong family support experiencing bullying at lower rates (16.8%) than those with little support (24.4%).

The study concludes that addressing the issue of bullying requires a comprehensive approach that includes recognizing various forms of intimidation and strengthening support systems within both schools and families.