A recent study by WalletHub.com revealed the best and worst states for bullying and Louisiana ranked #5 on the list of states with the biggest bullying problems.

California ranked #1, followed by Alaska, Nevada and New Jersey, before Louisiana rounded out the top five.

This is despite Louisiana having the second most anti-bullying laws at 47 laws. Only Colorado has more, at 48.

About 20% of students ages 12-18 experience bullying, whether in-person, online or both across the nation. Bullying takes many forms, from spreading rumors and insults to physical violence and property destruction. Technological advances have opened new ways for bullies to hide behind anonymity on the internet, also.

Besides the physical, emotional and psychological tolls it takes on victims, bullying produces adverse socioeconomic outcomes. The Association for Psychological Science found that those who are bullies, victims or both, are more likely to experience poverty, academic failure and job termination in their adulthood.

Even schools take a financial hit from bullying. Research shows that schools stand to lose millions of dollars in attendance- based funding due to students staying home to avoid bullying.

The study concluded the top five states in percentage of high school students who are bullied on school property were: 1. Alaska 2. Wyoming 3. California 4. West Virginia 5. Nebraska It also revealed the top five states in percentage of high school students who are bullied online were: 1. New Hampshire 2. West Virginia 3. Arizona 4. Alaska 5. Iowa For Louisiana, the following rankings were given for the following categories: 5th: Overall Rank.

13th: percent of high school students bullied on school property.

6th: percent of high school students bullied online.

6th: percent of high school students involved in physical fight at school.

3rd: percent of high school students who missed school for fear of being bullied.

2nd: percent of high school students who attempted suicide.

23rd: cost of truancy for schools due to bullying.

9th: state anti-bullying laws and policies.

2nd: state anti-cyberbullying laws requiring school policy. “Schools and parents need education, help, and support to address bullying and then prevent it from continuing. If their child, or a school’s student, is committing bullying acts it would be better to have clear consequences to stop the behaviors provide support and education, and put anti-bullying plans into place.