A state task force is warning the public about an alarming increase in school bullying in New Jersey.

The anti-bullying task force reviewed data from 2016 to 2022. Authorities say they investigated cases of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

The task force found that bias incidents quadrupled during that period. They say many such incidents were likely unreported, especially during the pandemic.

Incidents increased drastically after students returned from school closures, according to the task force. More than 7,600 were confirmed out of nearly 20,000 reports.