cyberbullying

Cyberbullying

The Digital Landscape of Cyberbullying in 2025

Children today live in a world where their social lives, identities, and self-worth are deeply intertwined with their online presence. According to the Cyberbullying Research Centre’s 2025 data, 58% of U.S. teens have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetime, and 33% in just the past 30 days. In Ireland, similar patterns emerge, with nearly half of secondary school students reporting some form of online harassment.

The nature of cyberbullying has evolved. It’s no longer limited to cruel messages or exclusion from group chats.

In 2025, we see:

AI-generated abuse: Students using artificial intelligence to create deepfake images, fake videos, or even songs mocking classmates.
Digital self-harm: Teens posting harmful content about themselves anonymously, seeking validation or attention in a distorted cry for help.
Cyber flashing and impersonation: The non-consensual sharing of explicit images and pretending to be someone else to cause harm.

These behaviours are amplified by the anonymity and permanence of the internet. Unlike traditional bullying, which might end when a child leaves school, cyberbullying follows them home, into their bedrooms, and into their minds 24/7.

Lives Lost: The Human Cost of Online Abuse

The most tragic consequence of cyberbullying is the loss of life. In Ireland, the death of Nicole “Coco” Fox in 2018 shocked the nation. After enduring months of online abuse, Coco died by suicide at just 21 years old. Her story led to the passage of Coco’s Law in 2020, which criminalized the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and harmful communications.

But Coco’s story is not unique.

In the U.S., Mallory Grossman, a 12-year-old from New Jersey, died by suicide in 2017 after being bullied online and in school. Her parents have since become vocal advocates for digital safety.
In the UK, Molly Russell, 14, took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful content on Instagram. Her father, Ian Russell, has campaigned tirelessly for platform accountability.

These stories are heart-breaking reminders that cyberbullying is not just a digital issue—it’s a matter of life and death.

Government Responses: Progress and Limitations

Ireland: Coco’s Law and Its Impact

Coco’s Law, officially the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, was a landmark piece of legislation. It made it illegal to share intimate images without consent and created new offenses for grossly offensive communications.

Since its enactment:

Over 100 prosecutions have been initiated.
Awareness campaigns have reached thousands of students and parents.
Gardaí have received specialized training in handling digital abuse cases.

Yet, despite these advances, the law has limitations. It is reactive, not preventative. It punishes offenders but does not address the root causes of bullying behaviour or equip children with the tools to navigate digital spaces safely.

European Union: A Coordinated Approach

The European Commission has launched several initiatives aimed at tackling cyberbullying:

Better Internet for Kids (BIK): A program promoting safer online environments through education and awareness.
Safer Internet Centres: Operating in every EU country, these centers provide resources, helplines, and training.
Digital Services Act (DSA): Enforced in 2024, the DSA requires platforms to remove illegal content swiftly and be transparent about moderation practices.

While these efforts are commendable, critics argue that enforcement is inconsistent and that tech companies still prioritize profit over safety.

United States: Legislation and Advocacy

In the U.S., the STOP Bullying Act has been proposed to strengthen school-based interventions and provide federal funding for anti-bullying programs. Meanwhile, the Cyberbullying Research Center continues to publish vital data, showing that:

73% of girls aged 13–21 have received unwanted sexual content online.
Black middle-school victims are 135% more likely to consider suicide than non-victims.

Advocacy groups like Common Sense Media, The Trevor Project, and Born This Way Foundation are pushing for comprehensive digital education and mental health support.

The Psychology of Cyberbullying: Why It Happens

Understanding why children bully online is key to stopping it. Research by psychologists like Roy Baumeister and Catalina Kopetz suggests that cyberbullying is often goal-directed behaviour. It may fulfill psychological needs for:

Control: Feeling powerless in real life, a child may seek dominance online.
Belonging: Joining in bullying may be a way to fit in with peers.
Identity: Targeting others can be a misguided attempt to define oneself.

Moreover, the emotional disconnect of digital communication—no facial expressions, no tears—makes it easier to ignore the harm being caused. Without non-verbal cues, empathy is diminished.

Education as the Solution: Building Digital Empathy

Legislation can punish, but only education can prevent. Teaching children how to be kind, responsible, and resilient online must begin early and be embedded in every aspect of schooling.

What Schools Can Do

Digital Citizenship Curriculum: Teach students about online ethics, privacy, and respectful communication.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Help children develop empathy, self-awareness, and conflict resolution skills.
Peer-Led Programs: Empower students to lead anti-bullying initiatives and support their peers.

What Parents Can Do

Open Communication: Ask questions like “What’s happening online?” instead of “What did you do?”
Model Behavior: Show kindness and restraint in your own digital interactions.
Know the Signs: Withdrawal, secrecy, sudden disinterest in devices—these may indicate cyberbullying.

What Kids Can Do

Speak Up: If you’re being bullied, tell someone. If you see bullying, report it.
Protect Yourself: Use privacy settings, block bullies, and avoid sharing sensitive content.
Be Kind: Every comment, like, or share has impact. Choose compassion.

Technology and Prevention: Tools That Help

In 2025, technology is both the problem and the solution. Schools and parents can use tools like:

GoGuardian Beacon: Monitors student activity on school devices to detect signs of distress or bullying.
Lightspeed Systems: Flags harmful content and provides wellness insights to educators.
Parental Control Apps: Help parents manage screen time, monitor communications, and set boundaries.

But tools are only effective when paired with trust, education, and human connection.

Toward a Culture of Compassion: The Path Forward

Cyberbullying is a symptom of a deeper issue: a lack of connection, empathy, and understanding in our digital lives. To truly end it, we must build a culture where kindness is the norm, not the exception.

This means:

Redefining success: Valuing emotional intelligence as much as academic achievement.
Reimagining social media: Platforms must prioritize safety, transparency, and mental health.
Reclaiming the internet: As a space for creativity, support, and growth—not cruelty.

Coco’s Legacy and Our Responsibility

Coco’s Law was born from tragedy. But its legacy can be one of transformation, if we choose to act. Laws can protect, but only education can empower. Only empathy can heal.

In 2025, we stand at a crossroads. We can continue to react to cyberbullying with punishment and outrage. Or we can choose a different path—one of prevention, compassion, and courage.

Let Coco’s story be more than a cautionary tale. Let it be a call to action.

Children of the Digital Age