Bully boys

ALMOST three-quarters of year 9 schoolboys admit to ‘‘covert bullying’’, according to a world-first Australian study.

The survey of almost 800 Victorian students found 72 per cent of year 9 boys and 65 per cent of year 9 girls had engaged in covert bullying, such as spreading rumours or excluding other children.

Lead researcher Professor Sheryl Hemphill said it was surprising to find more boys than girls engaging in this type of bullying.