According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, more than 1 in 3 teens have experienced cyberbullying, and nearly 60% say it’s had a lasting impact on their mental health. Though it unfolds behind screens, the emotional and psychological wounds inflicted are all too real—and often far more enduring than we care to admit.

“I’ve often wondered why we tend to overlook the deep-rooted effects of cyberbullying on young people. Is it because it happens behind a screen, making it feel less real, less immediate?” asks Linsey Lunny, CEO of Hidden Strength. “Whatever the reason, cyberbullying is just as harmful as in-person bullying, it’s equally as damaging.”

From anonymous insults on social media to group chats used as tools for exclusion and mockery, digital platforms have become breeding grounds for bullying behaviors that follow victims beyond the school day and into their most private spaces. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying has no boundaries—it can happen anytime, anywhere, making it especially invasive for children and teens who are still developing their sense of identity and self-worth.

“Bullying stems from cowardice and it is so much easier to be cruel when you don’t see the pain you cause,” Lunny adds. “The digital world creates a barrier between people, almost encouraging us to forget there’s a real person on the other side, feeling every sting.”

That disconnect is part of what makes cyberbullying so insidious. When a person posts a degrading comment, spreads a rumor, or shares an embarrassing photo, they may not immediately see—or may intentionally ignore—the impact of their actions. But for the recipient, those messages can be searing. They can reinforce feelings of isolation, erode confidence, and fuel anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Studies have shown that victims of cyberbullying are at significantly higher risk of experiencing mental health issues. According to data from the Pew Research Center, 59% of U.S. teens have experienced some form of online harassment, and many report that it has left lasting emotional scars. Yet despite its prevalence, cyberbullying is often minimized or misunderstood, dismissed as “just drama” or “kids being kids” in the digital age.

That cultural downplaying, experts argue, needs to end.

“Cyberbullying doesn’t end when the bully logs off—it lingers, shaping a young person’s self-worth, mental health, and sense of safety,” says Lunny. “We must start treating cyberbullying with the seriousness it deserves and create spaces where kindness and empathy aren’t just encouraged, but expected. Young people are worthy of knowing they’re not alone.”

Support systems are crucial, from schools that prioritize digital safety to parents who maintain open, nonjudgmental lines of communication with their children. But the broader digital culture also needs to shift. Social media companies have a responsibility to monitor abusive behavior, enforce community standards, and build tools that help users protect themselves. At the same time, online influencers, celebrities, and public figures must use their platforms to model respect and inclusion—not fan the flames of cruelty for clicks and engagement.

There’s also an educational component: teaching kids from a young age that their online behavior carries weight. Just as we talk about consent, kindness, and standing up for others in real life, we must embed those values into digital citizenship lessons. That means helping them understand not just what not to do, but why compassion matters.

Lunny and advocates like her believe change starts with conversations—real, honest ones about what young people are going through, and how adults can better support them. “There’s so much pressure for kids to keep up appearances, even when they’re suffering,” she says. “But the truth is, no one should have to suffer in silence. If we want to raise a generation that’s resilient and emotionally healthy, we have to show up for them—both online and off.”

Cyberbullying may be a modern challenge, but it demands timeless solutions: empathy, accountability, and community. Only by embracing those values can we begin to dismantle the toxic culture that allows bullying to thrive—and build a digital world where every young person feels safe, seen, and supported.