School Bullying. It's been a problem in schools for years. But, it doesn't just happen at the playground or even at school anymore.
It's happening all around and technology's not helping.

News 5's Colin Murphy caught up with one student who's having tough time this year.

Kids have enough to deal with when they start middle school, including new bigger building, heavier work load, and, now, bullying.

As we found out during our report "Making our kids bully proof" bullying has made junior high a terrifying experience.

"I walk into a classroom and they would be whispering about you and talking about you and pointing at you and it's really hard," said Kira Middleton.

For Hastings middle school student, Kira Middleton her 6th grade experience has been a nightmare.

"When my days are really, really bad, I just keeping looking at the clock, come on get the time to go faster I want to go home," Middleton said.

Some days Kira finds ways to miss school.

"I would make myself puke."

Kira is just one of thousands nationwide who have been bullied at school. And, she's not alone in her taekwondo class.

"Quit it, back off, I'm sick and tired of you bullying me," said Toriah Post.

Toriah Post of Blue Hill has battled with verbal bullying at her school.

"They're mean, they're destructive," said Post.

The time at class is a little therapy for the two students.

"It's like we're best friends because she's going through what I'm going through and we're made to be best friends," said Middleton.

In 2009, the US Department of Education released a report that said of nearly 7,000 students from ages 12 to 18, 28 percent have been bullied at school.

And, of those numbers nearly 40 percent claim they were bullied in 6th grade compared to 20 percent in 12th grade.

"They need to stop and need to leave me alone because I've done nothing to them," said Middleton.

But, the bullying doesn't just occur in the hallways.

"So many new electronic gadgets that kids have, and the potential is just endless on how kids communicate," said Hastings Middle School Principal Dave Essink.

That communication has hit the internet.

"It's just like physical bullying but worse," said Post.

"There's no way to escape it for kids, they get it at home, if they live in the neighborhood of the child that ' s bullying them, they get it on Facebook, they get it through text messaging or they get it at school."

Principal Essink says he's seen bullying involving social media increase over the past 5 years.

"So often it happens outside of school, and we're aware of it, we talk to kids, we notify parents but until it affects the school day somehow there is not a lot we can do with it," said Essink.

In a U.S Department of Education survey, 1600 students surveyed nearly 6 percent were cyber bullied.

"They made a video that said they were going to punch me in my face and make fun of me and for no reason," said Middleton.

Administrators at Hastings Middle School have tried to prevent the problem. One way? Installing an online bullying report system. Students can anonymously report being bullied. The complaint goes directly to an administrators e-mail.

"It's anonymous so it gives kids a voice they feel empowered that they can make a change, number two it gives me instant documentation of what's going on in my building."

Also, counselors at the middle school take time in 6th grade homeroom to educate students on bullying. What are the signs and how to handle a situation.

But, the question remains. What more needs to be done to stop bullying?

"I do think that when it comes to the cyber issues, I do think there is going to have to be more laws in place that you can't harass people, you can't go out on to the internet and do these things."

Until the bullying stops, Kira and Toriah can only dream of having a regular school day.

Now, we do want to mention that those children who made the video about Kira were suspended from school for two days.