Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and a recent survey is putting childhood behavior and bullying in the spotlight. A new analysis ranked all 50 states to determine where children are most
likely to display behavioral problems, bully others or experience bullying themselves, and several Northern and Midwestern states landed at the top of the list. So where did kids in the Sunshine State rank?
Florida schools rank among the top 15 in the nation,with Duval and St. Johns counties home to some of the state's highest-performing school districts. But how does Florida compare when it comes to bullying and children's behavior?
A new study from Go Au Pair analyzed data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and Children's Health Data to rank all 50 states based on behavioral disorders and bullying. Here's how the rankings were determined and where Florida landed.
How was the rudeness score of children in the nation determined?
The study, conducted by Go Au Pair using national children's health data, created a "Rudeness Score" by combining rates of behavioral disorders, bullying by children and bullying experienced by children with special health care needs. While the rankings don't suggest that children in these states are inherently "ruder," they do highlight where behavioral challenges and bullying appear to be more common.
What factors played a role in ranking each state? Why?
Researchers at Go Au Pair analyzed all 50 states using three key indicators:
- The percentage of children under 17 who are diagnosed with behavioral or conduct disorders.
- The percentage of children who bully others.
- The percentage of children with special health care needs who report being bullied.
These three measures were combined into an overall Rudeness Score, with higher scores indicating greater levels of the behaviors and experiences included in the study.
The rankings are based on data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and Children's Health Data.
What are the top 5 states raising the rudest kids in the nation?
1. Maine
Maine claimed the top spot after posting consistently high numbers across all three categories.
- 15.8% of children under 17 have been diagnosed with a behavioral or conduct disorder, the highest rate among the top 10 states.
- 19.1% of children were reported to bully others.
- 56.5% of children with special health care needs said they had experienced bullying.
2. Montana
Montana ranked second and recorded the highest rate of children bullying among the top-ranked states.
- 24.4% of children were reported to bully others, nearly one in four.
- 12% of children have a behavioral or conduct disorder.
- 55.1% of children with special health care needs reported being bullied.
3. South Dakota
South Dakota's ranking was driven largely by high bullying rates.
- 20.6% of children were reported to bully others.
- 64.9% of children with special health care needs reported being bullied, meaning nearly two-thirds of vulnerable children experienced bullying.
- 9.6% of children were diagnosed with a behavioral or conduct disorder.
4. Wyoming
Wyoming also recorded elevated bullying figures.
- 20.9% of children were reported to bully others.
- 61.9% of children with special health care needs said they had been bullied.
- 10.2% of children have a behavioral or conduct disorder.
5. Indiana
Indiana rounded out the top five, driven by one particularly concerning statistic.
- 66% of children with special health care needs reported being bullied—the highest figure among the top five.
- 11.7% of children have a behavioral or conduct disorder.
- 16.5% of children were reported to bully others.
Where do Florida kids rank among rudest in the nation?
Florida landed squarely in the middle of the pack, ranking 27th out of 50 states with an overall Rudeness Score of 44.71.
According to the survey:
- 11.7% of Florida children under 17 have a behavioral or conduct disorder.
- 13% of children were reported to bully others.
- 49.3% of children with special health care needs reported being bullied.
While Florida did not rank among the states with the highest levels of behavioral concerns or bullying, the findings show that nearly half of vulnerable children surveyed still reported experiencing bullying.
Why are these findings relevant to parents?
The rankings reflect a combination of behavioral health diagnoses and bullying-related data rather than simple measures of politeness or manners. Experts generally note that childhood behavior can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including mental health, family circumstances, school environments and access to support services.
As students head back to classrooms this fall, the findings serve as a reminder that bullying prevention and behavioral support remain important issues for schools, parents and communities across the country.
Full ranking of 50 states
According to sources: National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and Children's Health Data. Here's the ranking of the rudest
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Survey ranks the 'rudest kids' by state. Here's where Florida lands
