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Today’s teens spend more time on smartphones and social media than ever, with over 90% reporting they use it daily. Social media can provide an outlet for teens to be creative, learn new information, and connect with others. However, it can also make them a target of online harassment known as “cyberbullying”— a growing problem among teens and a cause for concern among parents.
Almost half of teens in the US have been bullied or harassed online. The numbers are exceptionally high for teen girls, who report they have been targets of online abuse due to their appearance [1].
Cyberbullying can have real consequences that impact a teen’s mental health and emotional well-being. Read on to understand what cyberbullying is, the long-term effects it can have on teens, and strategies to help support your teen with healthy online practices.
What is Cyberbullying?
Bullying is when someone uses physical strength or social influence to intimidate and hurt someone they perceive to be weaker. Cyberbullying is similar to this, except it happens in the form of online interactions. Some examples include spreading online rumors about someone, sharing false information about them online, or posting embarrassing videos.
Although parents often think of traditional bullying, such as being pushed into a locker or getting a “swirlie,” a majority of teenage bullying now takes place in the digital world.
According to the Pew Research Center, in a 2022 study, around 46% of teens 13-17 years of age reported being victims of one of six cyberbullying behaviors [1]. These include:
- Offensive name-calling: 32%
- Spreading false information or rumors about them online: 22%
- Receiving sexually explicit images they didn’t ask for: 17%
- Constantly being asked what they are doing, where they are going, or who they are with (by someone other than their parents): 15%
- Physical threats: 10%
- Having explicit images shared of them without their consent: 7%
Where Does Cyberbullying Take Place?
Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can occur at any time, even when teens are in the safety of their own homes. It can also reach a wider audience, leading to long-lasting effects on teens. The anonymity and non-face-to-face interactions make it easier for bullies to target their victims online.
Some of the most common online platforms where teens experience cyberbullying are:
- TikTok is filled with hurtful comments or posting humiliating videos of someone.
- Snapchat and Instagram make it easy to create fake accounts to spread rumors or false information, name-calling in private direct messages or snaps, and sharing sexually explicit pictures without someone’s consent.
- Anonymous Q&A apps such as NGL, YOLO, and Ask.FM allow teens to ask anonymous questions and post answers, which bullies use to shame and embarrass their victims.
- Text messaging, such as one-on-one messages or group chats, can make teens a target of name-calling, receiving physical threats, or explicit content without their consent.
- Gaming forums or online video games with teens are often a hotspot for bullies to discriminate against their victims. This is especially common for racial, sexual, or religious discrimination.
- Email can also be used as a space where cyberbullies target their victims. However, this is less common now, with many teens seeing email as old-fashioned.
Warning Signs of Cyberbullying
Out of shame or embarrassment, teens may not always tell you if they are experiencing bullying online. They also may fear that it will make things worse, or that they will lose access to their phone or the internet.
However, it’s important to recognize the signs that they are experiencing bullying to prevent problems from escalating. Common warning signs of cyberbullying in teens include:
- Being visibly upset after using their phone or the internet
- Changes in personality, such as becoming more anxious, angry, or sad
- Acting secretive about their online behavior
- Socially isolating themselves
- Low self-esteem
- Sudden decline in grades
- Avoiding going to school or extracurricular activities
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- A decline in their physical hygiene
How Does Cyberbullying Impact Teens?
According to research, teens who are victims of cyberbullying are more likely to suffer from significant psychological damage, such as depression, anxiety, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts. Teens who are perpetrators of online bullying are also impacted psychologically. They may partake in delinquent behaviors or struggle with their own self-esteem, which causes them to tear down others [2].
Depression and Anxiety
These are two of the most common mental health disorders diagnosed in teens, and cyberbullying can significantly contribute to them. Teens who are bullied online may become isolated from their peers and have lower self-esteem, increasing feelings of depression.
One study found that 93% of teenage cyberbully victims experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. They may also feel anxious about going to school if they are a target of online harassment [2].
Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm
Teens who are victims of cyberbullying are at an increased risk of self-harm and suicide. One study found that teens who experienced online harassment were four times more likely to harm themselves than their peers [2].
There has been a focus on research on the connection between cyberbullying and rising youth suicide rates. One of the most recent infamous cases was of a 12-year-old girl who jumped to her death after experiencing ongoing cyberbullying [2].
Academic Decline
Teens who are bullied online may fear going to school and seeing their peers. They may try to get out of school by pretending they are sick or skipping class without telling their parents. If they are struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety, they may struggle to focus and see a decline in their grades. Two-thirds of students who experience cyberbullying report “it affected their ability to learn and feel safe at school” [3].
Physical Health Problems
Around one-third of cyberbullying victims report experiencing at least one symptom of chronic stress. This can lead to distressing symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues, muscle and joint pain, insomnia, changes in appetite, headaches, and even increase the risk of developing chronic disease in adulthood [3].
How To Support Your Teen if They Are Being Cyberbullied
It’s important for parents to intervene and communicate with their teens if they are concerned their teen is experiencing cyberbullying (either as a victim or perpetrator). Some strategies to help your teen build healthy digital practices and avoid the effects of cyberbullying include:
- Speak openly with your teen about their online presence, know what social media platforms they are using, the kind of content they are consuming, and who they are interacting with.
- Encourage them to think before they make a post. If they are angry or upset, they need to pause before making a public post.
- Remind them how quickly online information can spread and that not everything is anonymous.
- Set limits around social media and internet use in the home. It’s recommended that teens spend a maximum of 2-3 hours online per day.
- Model healthy digital habits for your teen by taking breaks from your phone or even going tech-free some days as a family.
- Consider using parental safeguards or safety features within social media apps.
- Reach out for professional support if you are concerned your teen is being cyberbullied, and it is negatively impacting their mental health.
Support Groups for Teens in Texas
At Clearfork Academy, our team of licensed mental health professionals understands the challenges that today’s teens face and the impact that cyberbullying can have on their mental health. We offer comprehensive mental health support, such as support groups and individual counseling, to help teens connect with peers their age and build coping skills for positive mental health outcomes.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen.
Sources
[1] Teens and Cyberbullying. 2022. Pew Research Center.
[2] Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health. 2014. National Library of Medicine.
[3] Social Media and Youth Mental Health. US Surgeon General Advisory. 2023.
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
