So the question is, why does all of this matter? Why is cyberbullying such a big deal?

For the person being targeted, cyberbullying can have serious emotional and psychological effects. Imagine constantly seeing mean comments, rumors, or embarrassing posts about yourself every time you log on. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, or even thoughts of self-harm. Victims often feel powerless, as if there’s no escape, especially when their bullies are anonymous or when others start piling on.

Cyberbullying can also damage relationships. It can make people lose trust in their friends or feel betrayed when others don’t stand up for them. And because everything online can be seen by a wide audience, the embarrassment can be much more public and long-lasting than bullying that happens in person.

In some extreme cases, cyberbullying has led to serious consequences like students skipping school, dropping out, or even harming themselves. It’s not just “drama” or “kids being kids”—the emotional toll is very real, and the effects can last long after the bullying ends.