Cyberbullying and Substance Use: How Digital Harassment Fuels Teen Addiction

Key findings from the Frontiers study

The study, conducted in Brazil, reveals several critical insights:

• Prevalence of cyberbullying: A significant portion of adolescents (13.3% in a group of 146,536 participants up to 17 years old) reported experiencing cyberbullying in the 30 days before the survey, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue.

• Association with substance use: Victims of cyberbullying showed a higher likelihood of using substances like alcohol and drugs, with 22% of bullied individuals seeking substance use against 11% in the non-bullied group, suggesting substance use as a coping mechanism for the distress caused by online harassment.

• Gender disparities: The study found that 61.9% of bullied individuals were female and only 38.1% were boys. Thus, female adolescents are more likely to be victims of cyberbullying and, consequently, exhibit higher rates of substance use compared to their male counterparts.

What can young people do to cope with cyberbullying?

We asked experts in youth psychology to offer some advice on how to successfully counteract cyberbullying. Dr. Randi Spiker, an expert in developmental psychology, had this to offer:

The days of complete online anonymity are long gone, and the bad decisions made today can have long-term consequences for both perpetrators and victims. It is also vital that we teach youth to be good digital bystanders; youth and young adults are very susceptible to peer pressure in positive ways, as well as negative ways. It can be more impactful for young people to hear their peers telling them to stop than it would be coming from a parent or other authority figure. Calling out friends for bad behavior and refusing to participate in cyber abuse are effective ways to shut cyberbullying down. ^[6]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Randi Spiker

Ph.D., M.S.

Dr. Deborah Vinall, psychologist and family therapist, emphasises the importance of involving an adult in the situation to address any long-term effects developing.

Young people experiencing cyberbullying should share their experience with a trusted adult, whether a parent, teacher, counselor, relative, or family friend…Stopping cyber-bullying is difficult to do as the victim without support, and letting it go on can lead to escalation and long-term negative consequences. Share with an adult, do not give in to online demands, do not retaliate, and most importantly, do not believe the lies about your worth that the bullying portrays. ^[7]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Deborah Vinall

PsyD, LMFT

Ellie Borden, psychotherapist, author, and neuroscience coach, believes that while seeking support is vital, a more direct approach is also beneficial in certain situations:

Cyberbullying is not something you just put up with—it’s a form of psychological harm, and it deserves a serious response. Young people should immediately document the incidents—screenshots, dates, usernames—and report them to a trusted adult, school administrator, or the platform’s moderation team. But reporting alone isn’t enough. Emotional support is essential. Speaking with a therapist, school counselor, or youth coach can help process feelings of shame, isolation, and identity confusion, all common impacts of digital bullying. Practices like journaling, mindfulness, and even digital detoxing can also help create space from the harm and rebuild self-worth. ^[9]

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Medical advisor

Ellie Borden

BA, RP

Cyberbullying and mental health

Cyberbullying significantly affects mental health. Victims often experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The constant exposure to online harassment can create a sense of helplessness, leading to isolation and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. ^[3]

The anonymity of the internet emboldens bullies, making it challenging for victims to escape their tormentors. This persistent stress can disrupt sleep patterns, academic performance, and social relationships, further deteriorating mental health.

Long-term effects of cyberbullying

We asked the experts what the potential long-term effects of cyberbullying can be for both the victims and the perpetrators. Here's what Dr. Spoker had to say:

For victims, long-term risks for psychological and emotional damage are very similar to those of physical bullying. Chronic depression, lifetime low self-esteem, and increased risky behavior such as substance use and hypersexual behavior. Suicidality and self-harming behaviors can remain long after the bullying has ended. These can each contribute to more holistic risks, including major concerns such as reduced levels of education and lifelong impacts on earning potential.

For perpetrators, cyberbullying has been correlated with a lack of empathy and in-person bullying behaviors. Bullying is often associated in youth with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) such as trauma, domestic abuse, and authoritarian or permissive parenting styles. These can all have lifetime consequences for young people, including increased risks of arrest and conviction, more frequent experiences of violence, increased substance use, and risky behaviors. These, in turn, contribute to myriad lifetime economic and social consequences. ^[6]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Randi Spiker

Ph.D., M.S.

Dr. Karyn Hall, psychologist and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) specialist, highlights the specific mental health disorders that can be exacerbated or caused by cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying can lead to lasting emotional and psychological harm. Victims often experience chronic anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even PTSD symptoms well into adulthood. It’s not just the immediate hurt—it’s the internalized shame and isolation that can reshape how someone sees themselves and others.

Long-term risks may include: persistent social withdrawal and difficulty forming trusting relationships, substance use or behavioral addictions as coping mechanisms, suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors, and academic or career disruptions due to avoidance and lack of confidence.

What makes cyberbullying especially harmful is its reach—it follows victims home, is often anonymous, and leaves a digital footprint that’s hard to escape. Early intervention and trauma-informed care are key to reducing these long-term effects. ^[8]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Karyn Hall

Ph.D., MSCP, APIT

Dr. Vinall points out that, as well as the mental health problems caused by cyberbullying, it can also affect an individual's ability to form meaningful relationships:

Over the long term, protracted experiences of cyber-bullying may lead to difficulty trusting others, impairing the victim's capacity for close friendships and intimate relationships. It may also cost them occupational opportunities directly, if cyber-bullying involves the dissemination of personal images, whether real or doctored, or indirectly through undermining confidence. This can lead to a lifetime of dependency, decreased earning potential, and compounding low self-esteem. ^[7]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Deborah Vinall

PsyD, LMFT

Cyberbullying and why teens turn to substances

For many adolescents, substances might become a means to numb the emotional pain inflicted by cyberbullying. The temporary relief provided by drugs or alcohol could seem like an escape from the relentless negativity online.

However, this coping mechanism often leads to dependency and addiction, creating a dangerous cycle where the underlying issues remain unaddressed. The initial solace found in substances can quickly spiral into addiction, compounding the challenges faced by these young individuals.

Is there a need for stricter regulations for young people accessing social media sites?

With states like Florida already pushing for tighter restrictions on phone and social media access for children, public opinion for wider restrictions is growing. Is taking away young people's access to social media the answer to cyberbullying? Here's what the experts think:

Social media opens up a wild west of vulnerability for young people who lack the maturity to fully comprehend the long-term consequences of their actions, both on others and themselves. Parental supervision is helpful, but not every teen has parents willing or able to be involved at this level. An approach that elevates the unrestricted right to free speech without balance for the protection of the vulnerable creates an environment ripe for exploitation and lasting psychological harm. ^[7]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Deborah Vinall

PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Spiker suggests that it is the companies that own these platforms that need to be held accountable for their actions before any meaningful change can occur:

Social media is a double-edged sword for all of us, but especially our youth. Youth with smartphones are more likely to report positive self-esteem and higher levels of engagement with their peers than those without smartphones. Social media sites should be held accountable for enforcing the existing regulations, before we add on additional rules that these companies will also ignore. In addition, there is a greater need for parents to be active participants in their child's daily life online as well. Beyond direct supervision of online screen time, parents need to be communicating and upholding standards of behavior online just as they would in real life. ^[6]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Randi Spiker

Ph.D., M.S.

Ellie Borden echoes the need for tighter regulations being enforced by social media companies, as well as the need for more tools for parents to be able to openly talk to children about cyberbullying:

Social media companies must also be held accountable with clearer anti-harassment policies, faster response times to abuse reports, and built-in mental health features, like panic buttons or direct links to support lines. And parents? They need access to digital literacy tools so they can actively guide—not just monitor—their teens’ online lives. Without this kind of layered protection, we’re asking young people to navigate a high-risk environment with zero training. ^[9]

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Medical advisor

Ellie Borden

BA, RP

Breaking the cycle: Prevention and treatment

Addressing the intertwined issues of cyberbullying and substance use requires a multifaceted approach:

• Education: Schools and communities must educate teens about the dangers of cyberbullying and substance abuse, promoting empathy and digital responsibility.
• Support systems: Establishing safe spaces where adolescents can discuss their experiences without judgment encourages openness and healing.
• Mental health services: Accessible counseling and therapy can help victims process their trauma and develop healthy coping strategies.
• Parental involvement: Parents should maintain open lines of communication and foster trust to ensure their children feel supported. ^[5]
• Policy implementation: Enforcing anti-cyberbullying policies within schools and online platforms can deter potential bullies and protect victims.

Resources and support systems

For those affected by cyberbullying and substance addiction, besides the resources available on our website, consider:

• StopBullying.gov: Provides information on how to prevent and respond to bullying.
• National suicide prevention lifeline: Offers 24/7 support for individuals in distress.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Connects individuals with treatment facilities and support groups.
• Local community centers: Often host workshops and counseling sessions for teens and families dealing with these issues.

By leveraging these resources and fostering a supportive environment, we can help adolescents navigate the challenges of cyberbullying and reduce the risk of substance dependency.