Education specialists told the BBC funding cuts to outreach services, social media harms, divisive politics and a lack of mandatory teacher training were among issues contributing to a growing problem.
Less tolerance of discrimination, heightened awareness and a growth in the use of suspensions overall were also highlighted by charities, unions and teachers.
Pepe Di’lasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said schools only use exclusions as a “last resort” but would not tolerate discriminatory behaviour.
Di’lasio added: “The problems we are seeing are huge societal issues which cannot be solved solely in the classroom.
“It feels as though we are living in an increasingly abrasive era.”
Teaching union NASUWT has received “frequent reports” of teachers and pupils receiving prejudicial abuse, general secretary Matt Wrack said.
Wrack warned against “demonising young people” as he said issues in wider society are inevitably reflected in schools.
The union has raised concerns with the DfE over the need to improve the recording and monitoring of bullying.