Experts Warn of the Mental Health Impacts of Cyberbullying This World Mental Health Day

COLUMBUS, Ohio –Cyberbullying can leave a deep, lasting scar on children and adolescents, fueling anxiety, depression and trauma. According to a recent study, more than half (53.9%) of U.S. teens between the ages of 13-17 report being cyberbullied. As World Mental Health Day approaches on October 10, 2025, experts with The Kids Mental Health Foundation say it is important to understand the signs of cyberbullying and the steps adults can take to help navigate and prevent it from happening with their kids.

“Cyberbullying can be a serious threat to children's mental health, and it often goes unnoticed because it happens behind screens when kids are on social media, texting or playing video games,” said Ariana Hoet, PhD, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “It can lead to anxiety, depression, trauma and even suicidal thoughts. Kids' mental health starts with us adults, and we must be proactive and talk with kids about their digital lives, setting clear expectations and being a trusted source of support when they need help.”

If a child has access to the internet, Dr. Hoet recommends parents and caregivers talk to their kids about how to prevent cyberbullying in the following ways:

• Tell them about cyberbullying. Help them understand the harm it can do to them and others.
• Talk about appropriate online behavior. These conversation starters can help increase your understanding of your child’s experience on social media.
• Explain online privacy. Help them understand that people online may not be who they say they are, and what is shared with friends could be shared to other people and digital platforms.
• Talk about their online activity. It is important to understand the content kids are consuming and commenting on, as well as who they are interacting with while playing video games.
• Have a clear plan on apps they can use. Write down expectations with a family social media plan and family gaming Both resources can assist in these conversations.

• Explain online longevity. Tell kids how a post or comment made online can live forever. Even if they delete it, someone can take a screen shot of it and share it in multiple places online.

Dr. Hoet suggests kids have a trusted adult they can turn to for help if they identify cyberbullying happening to them or their friends. Some adults may need to notify the school, teachers and/or coaches if cyberbullying is happening between students or on a team. Most schools have policies in place and may have a counselor or administrator they can talk with about the situation. In some cases, they may need to contact the police if the bullying continues, is severe, violates laws and/or keeps getting worse.

For more resources on bullying, please visit KidsMentalHealthFoundation.org.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation is the leading organization promoting mental health for children in the United States. To achieve its vision to build a world where mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing, nearly 1,000 mental health professionals and researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in partnership with other trusted experts, provide real-world knowledge and expertise to power the Foundation's free educational videos, guides and curriculum. To date, more than 24 million people have engaged with the Foundation’s materials, helping parents, educators and coaches be a guiding force for children all across the United States.