In 2025, cyberbullying is as rampant as it’s ever been, if not worse. There are simply so many forums for online harassment, threats, and spreading rumors, with plenty of other ‘types’ of cyberbullying in our kids’ lives.
In particular, teens these days spend hours daily on social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps. This exposes them to plenty of ‘opportunities’ to be cyberbullied. According to Pew Research Center, nearly half (46%) of all US teens, aged 13-17, have experienced cyberbullying in some shape or form.
This leaves parents feeling powerless, but there are effective steps they can take to counteract or prevent it from happening. Read our guide to learn what cyberbullying looks like in a modern context, and what you can do to address it.
Part 1. What Does Cyberbullying Look Like Today?
Before we get into prevention steps, we need to understand what ‘cyberbullying’ looks like in today’s context. This includes the platforms where your kids may be cyberbullied, and the common types of cyberbullying prevalent in teens today.
Common Platforms Where It Happens
Social media
One of the most common places for teens to interact and engage with peers is also one of the most prevalent places for cyberbullying: social media. This includes platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.
This can relate to cyberbullying from friends/classmates who follow them, as well as strangers who’ve followed/added them on the platform.
Messaging apps
Messaging apps are another prime forum for cyberbullying. This includes messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Discord, or iMessage. These platforms are typically used by people who know your child and have their number or ID.
Online games
Lastly, we have online games. This could be any game, but most commonly are online multiplayer games like Roblox, Fortnite, Mobile Legends, etc. These are games where your child is often paired with random players, but they can also play with people they know.
This can relate to text/voice chat bullying, like calling them names or antagonizing them in-game.
Types of Cyberbullying Teens Face
Harassment & Name-Calling
One of the most common forms of cyberbullying is harassment, often involving peers using demeaning words like “fat,” “ugly,” “stupid,” or expletives. While one-off comments may be dismissed as banter, repeated abuse is a clear sign of bullying.
Spreading False Rumors
Instead of direct insults, bullies may spread false rumors online through social media or group chats. These could include false accusations or fabricated stories that damage your child’s reputation and quickly snowball among peers.
Impersonation & Account Hacking
Cyberbullies may impersonate your child by creating fake accounts with their name and photos, posting harmful content to tarnish their image. In some cases, they may hack into real accounts, causing confusion and distress when harmful messages appear to come from your child.
Exclusion from Online Groups
Exclusion can take the form of leaving your teen out of group chats or online circles. Though less overtly aggressive than other tactics, being left out can signal deeper issues and often leads to isolation from peers.
Sharing Embarrassing Photos/Videos Without Consent
Lastly, sharing embarrassing and harmful photos/videos without consent. This could be as “innocent” as posting them making a funny face, or far more dangerous, like sharing nude photos.
The key here is that your child has not consented to these photos/videos being shared, regardless of the ‘type’ of photo/video shared, which can leave your child feeling exposed and unsafe.
Part 2. The Impact of Cyberbullying on Teens
Emotional Toll
Cyberbullying doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Unlike traditional bullying, it follows students into their homes, their phones, and their private spaces. The result is a constant pressure that erodes a teen’s sense of safety and belonging:
- Stress:Constant harassment can keep your child constantly ‘stressed’, leaving them feeling on edge.
- Anxiety: Fear of being targeted online leads to anxiety, making it difficult to relax or enjoy daily activities.
- Depression: Repeated cyberbullying can lead to depression, as they might constantly feel sad, hopeless, and withdraw into themselves.
- Low Self-Esteem: Negative comments or public humiliation online can diminish a teen’s self-worth and confidence.
Academic Impact
Aside from harming a teen’s emotional well-being, cyberbullying can impact a student’s ability to learn. The stress of the constant harassment can make school feel overwhelming.
This can lead to victims not being able to concentrate and engage in the classroom:
- Lack of Focus:Teens may spend more time worrying about bullying, distracting them from lessons and assignments.
- Declining Grades:Reduced concentration in class or at home learning typically translates to lowered academic performance.
- Absenteeism:In fear of bullies, students may avoid school altogether, leading to frequent absences, as highlighted by gov.
Long-term Risks
Unfortunately, the effects of cyberbullying can last well beyond school years. This could lead to victims negatively shaping their self-perception and interactions with the world in adulthood:
- Social Withdrawal: Fear of judgment or ridicule may cause victims to withdraw from peers and social gatherings entirely.
- Impaired Career Outcomes:The stress and lowered self-confidence caused by cyberbullying can carry over into their careers, making it harder for teens moving to adulthood to focus, achieve, or pursue opportunities.
- Increased Risk of Self-Harm:In the worst cases, persistent feelings of worthlessness or despair can escalate into self-destructive behaviors such as self-harm, substance abuse, or suicide.
Part 3. Warning Signs Parents Should Look For
If your child is a cyberbullying victim, there are several warning signs to take note of. If you observe any of these behaviors, you should have a talk and check in to see what’s going on.
Sudden Withdrawal from Social Media or Devices
If you notice your teen has suddenly withdrawn from using social media or their devices, this could be an indicator that they’re being bullied online. Their devices should be a ‘safe space’, but when they don’t feel like that, they’ll stop using them altogether.
This may be a more obvious indicator for teens who were constantly on their phones smiling, but now don’t check them as often.
Visible Anxiety When Checking Messages
But when they do look at their phone, you notice a mood shift or visible anxiety. This can be easier to spot if you observe their facial expressions as they receive a notification sound. Nervousness or hesitation can signal distress.
Unexplained Mood Swings or Irritability
If you notice your teen having constant mood swings or being easily irritable, especially after online activity, this can be a clear sign of cyberbullying.
Parents are a child’s safe space, and they’re more prone to lashing out as they know you’ll care for them regardless. But frequent mood swings can be a clear indicator of cyberbullying.
Reluctance to Go to School or Meet Friends
Another clear sign is if they’re reluctant to go to school or meet friends. If you notice them frequently asking for a day off or not going out as much as they used to, this might indicate avoidant behavior out of fear of encountering bullies.
Deleting Accounts or Apps Suddenly
In more drastic measures, you may notice your child has deleted social media accounts or apps out of the blue. This shows they’ve taken a step to escape online harassment, and it is often not explained why they did so.
Part 4. How Parents Can Prevent Cyberbullying
1. Communication & Trust
The first step is to build open communication between you and your teen. Building trust is the most effective way to prevent cyberbullying, because children are far more likely to share their struggles online when they feel safe, heard, and supported at home.
Creating an open dialogue ensures they know they don’t have to face cyberbullying in silence and alone.
- Encourage kids to talk about their online experiences. Let them know they’re safe and that any concern is valid.
- Avoid overreacting when they share. It’s natural to feel upset, but reacting too strongly may discourage them from opening up again. Stay calm and listen first.
- Reassure them they’re not alone. Let your child know that cyberbullying is not their fault and that you’ll work through it together.
2. Teach Digital Resilience & Positive Behavior
Once you’ve established an open dialogue regarding cyberbullying, teach them how to navigate challenges online to develop confidence and self-control. Reinforcing digital resilience not only teaches them how to protect themselves but also contributes to a more positive digital culture.
- Encourage kids not to engage with bullies. Responding often escalates the situation, giving bullies the attention they want. Silence and disengaging from the conversation is often the best response.
- Teach kids about responsible online behavior. Guide them on privacy, limits to sharing, and the long-term impact of what they post to help them use the internet wisely.
- Show them how to block/report abusive accounts. Understand the practical steps on different platforms so they feel empowered to take action when harassed.
3. Active Prevention & Parental Controls
Aside from communication and teaching resilience, parents can play an active role in shaping safe online habits and shutting down cyberbullying. Setting clear boundaries like time limits and phone-free zones, and using tools like AirDroid Parental Control can help teens balance digital life while staying protected.
AirDroid Parental Control is an all-in-one tool to manage your child’s safety on their smartphone, and can be an effective tool against cyberbullying. AirDroid Parental Control empowers parents by allowing them to:
- Set custom alerts for keywords/filters on social media apps and SMS, to see if your teen receives any inappropriate or harassing messages.
- Enables notifications sync to ensure you see what notifications your child receives.
- Monitor app usage and online activity to see what your teen is viewing and engaging with online.
- …and more.
It’s also important to frame monitoring as protection, not spying, so teens view it as a form of support rather than an invasion of their privacy.
Part 5. Steps to Take If Your Teen Is Being Cyberbullied
Document Evidence
The first step is to document any and all evidence. Save messages, take screenshots of cyberbullying posts/pictures, keep track of names/numbers, etc. Having concrete proof is essential if you need to escalate the issue.
Report to the Platform/App
An easy way to quickly remove contact with cyberbullies is to report them on the app/platform. This typically allows you to remove the content and block the individual from further contact.
Involve School Counselors or Teachers
If the cyberbullies are peers, consider alerting and involving school counselors and teachers. They will be able to intervene, mediate, apply disciplinary action, or provide support to ensure your teen feels safe in their learning environment.
Seek Professional Mental Health Support if Needed
Cyberbullying can take a heavy toll on mental health. If you notice signs of anxiety, social withdrawal, or depression, consider talking to a mental health professional. They can provide coping strategies, emotional support, and methods to deal with mental health issues.
Contact Local Law Enforcement if Threats are Severe
In the unfortunate case that bullying escalates to threats of violence, harassment crossing legal boundaries, or stalking, do not hesitate to involve law enforcement. Their intervention can keep your child safe while also holding the bullies accountable.
Conclusion
Cyberbullying may be widespread, but it doesn’t have to go unchallenged. Parents have the power to reduce risks by building open lines of communication, setting clear digital boundaries, and equipping their teens with the right support tools.
With solutions like AirDroid Parental Control, you can intervene early, spot warning signs, and create a healthier online environment.
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to step in. Start the conversation with your teen today and make parental controls part of your digital parenting approach.