Navigating the Digital Minefield: Cyberbullying, Catfishing, and Vulnerability Among Neurodivergent Populations

Sometimes, I think about the 90s when I was in elementary school, and I’m glad that tablets and smartphones were not yet in the world. I had faced a significant amount of bullying in person, but being bullied online can be a different kind of struggle. Cyberbullying is just as prevalent as in-person bullying and hazing, and sometimes more frequent because of easy access.

Teenage Girl Being Bullied By Text Message

Cyberbullying primarily affects teens, with over 70% acknowledging it as a significant issue among their age group. Common platforms include YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook. Studies show that about 21% of parents reported their children had been victims of cyberbullying, with the incidence rising with age and reaching up to 79% on YouTube alone​. According to research from the Pew Research Center, factors such as physical appearance, gender, and race make teens vulnerable to cyberbullying. Specifically, 31% of teens who experienced online harassment believe it was due to their appearance, with older teens and girls more likely to cite this. Racial or ethnic background also plays a role, with Black teens, for example, more often reporting cyberbullying related to race or ethnicity compared to other groups​.

Cyberbullying has significant emotional impacts, including anger, resentment, and diminished self-worth. Over 60% of victims report adverse effects on self-esteem, and 13% indicate it affects their physical well-being. These experiences can extend into social and emotional difficulties, highlighting the need for intervention and support​.

Bystander algorithms are automated systems used on social media and other online platforms to detect, analyze, and sometimes respond to harmful content such as bullying. They function like a passive observer by identifying potential incidents of harassment or abuse based on keywords, patterns, and user reports. However, these algorithms can sometimes inadvertently exacerbate online bullying by either failing to intervene effectively in real-time, misidentifying harmless content as harmful (leading to unfair penalties), or creating a false sense of security for users. Additionally, when bystander algorithms escalate visibility by prioritizing inflammatory or controversial content, they may indirectly amplify online bullying, making it more visible to a larger audience.

Digital ghosting is the act of suddenly ending all communication with someone on digital platforms without explanation or closure. This includes cutting off messaging, calls, and social media interactions, leaving the person “ghosted” without understanding the reason for the disconnect. Ghosting can create feelings of confusion, rejection, and loss, especially in close relationships, and can lead to emotional distress for the person left without closure. Digital ghosting can cause delayed trauma because it leaves individuals with unresolved feelings of confusion, rejection, and self-doubt that may not fully surface until later. Initially, the ghosted person may suppress their emotions or rationalize the experience to cope. However, without closure or an opportunity to process the abrupt end, the emotional impact can resurface down the line, particularly if similar experiences or reminders trigger those unresolved feelings. Over time, the cumulative effect of these emotional wounds can lead to symptoms of delayed trauma, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty trusting others, and emotional instability in future relationships.

Influencer-driven bullying occurs when social media influencers or online personalities use their platform to harass, mock, or criticize individuals, often encouraging their followers to join in. This can involve calling someone out publicly, spreading harmful rumors, or sharing private information that triggers a wave of negative comments, trolling, or targeted harassment from their followers. Due to the influencer’s broad reach and the social influence they wield, the bullying can become amplified, making the targeted individual vulnerable to intense public scrutiny, social isolation, and emotional harm.

Cyberbullying has become more prevalent due to several factors tied to the evolution of technology and social media culture. The reasons include the widespread use of digital platforms, anonymity, and constant online accessibility, each of which impacts behavior and may contribute to impulsive actions online.

The Digital Environment and Its Influence on Behavior

Digital Accessibility and Anonymity: Nearly universal access to smartphones, social media, and messaging platforms makes it easy for people to communicate instantly. This accessibility, combined with the ability to remain anonymous or create fake profiles, can reduce inhibitions and make it easier for individuals to engage in harmful behaviors without immediate consequences. Anonymity can intensify aggressive behavior as individuals feel shielded from accountability​.

Constant Connectivity and “Always On” Culture: The 24/7 nature of online communication creates an environment where young people feel the need to stay always connected, often with limited supervision. This connectivity can heighten the likelihood of impulsive reactions, as online interactions occur at a much faster pace than in-person ones. The lack of face-to-face interactions can make it easier to say things impulsively, as digital communication lacks the immediate feedback of in-person conversations that often temper emotional responses​.

Social Comparison and Pressure: social media can also foster environments of competition and comparison, where individuals feel pressured to present an idealized version of themselves. This culture can contribute to bullying behaviors rooted in jealousy or social competition, with individuals acting impulsively to criticize or undermine others. Studies show that social comparison is often tied to lower self-esteem, which can both drive bullying behaviors and make individuals more vulnerable to online harassment​.

Psychological Impact on Impulsivity: Research suggests that repeated exposure to online aggression and impulsive interactions can reinforce impulsive habits, especially in adolescents. Because the online world often provides immediate responses (likes, shares, or comments), it encourages a feedback loop that can reinforce impulsive behavior. This environment can normalize quick, unfiltered responses, making it more challenging for young people to develop reflective or restrained communication habits​.

The Impact of Cyberbullying on Neurodivergent Individuals

Cyberbullying can be especially impactful for neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, and other conditions that affect social perception, emotional regulation, and information processing. Neurodivergent individuals often experience unique challenges in online environments that can make them more vulnerable to cyberbullying and its psychological effects.

Social Perception and Misinterpretation: Many neurodivergent individuals interpret social cues differently, which can lead to a misunderstanding of online interactions. For example, sarcasm, “joking” insults, and subtle tone shifts are common in online conversations, but people on the autism spectrum, for instance, may have difficulty recognizing the intent behind these cues. This can lead them to perceive harmful comments as friendly or dismiss clearly offensive content. They may even engage with online bullies unknowingly, making it difficult to defend themselves.

Emotional Dysregulation and Heightened Sensitivity: Individuals with ADHD or autism may experience more intense emotional responses to cyberbullying. For example, an ADHD-related difficulty with emotional regulation could mean that online harassment leads to a cascade of intense feelings, from sadness to anger, which are harder to moderate than in neurotypical individuals. The impacts of these interactions are often lasting, as hurtful comments can be replayed and analyzed repeatedly, heightening their effect.

Challenges with Seeking Help: Neurodivergent people, particularly those with autism, often struggle with recognizing when or how to seek help. They may underreport online harassment due to fear of misunderstanding, discomfort with social interaction, or lack of confidence in articulating their experiences. Additionally, neurodivergent individuals are often advised to focus on “fitting in” socially, which might make them hesitate to label or call out online mistreatment.

Increased Susceptibility to Manipulation: Some neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with conditions like ADHD and autism, can be more trusting or literal in their understanding, which can make them targets for manipulative forms of bullying. This can include tactics like “gaslighting,” where bullies may deny previous harmful statements to create confusion, or even grooming, where someone is manipulated into harmful actions over time. Due to literal or overly trusting tendencies, neurodivergent people may find it challenging to recognize when they are being manipulated or deceived.

Impact on Self-Esteem and Identity: For neurodivergent youth, who may already feel “different” from peers, cyberbullying can reinforce feelings of isolation and inadequacy. Negative online interactions may impact self-perception more deeply, as they may internalize criticism more readily. Many neurodivergent individuals already struggle with self-esteem due to social challenges in daily life; cyberbullying may exacerbate these issues and contribute to a strong sense of rejection or exclusion.

Mental Health Outcomes and Comorbidities

Neurodivergent individuals are often at higher risk of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and social phobias. Cyberbullying can worsen these issues, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, or even suicidal ideation. For example, people with ADHD are statistically more likely to engage in impulsive behavior, and online bullying might trigger impulsive responses or destructive coping mechanisms, like risky online interactions or withdrawal from social settings entirely.

Support Strategies for Neurodivergent Individuals Facing Cyberbullying

  • Education on Social Cues: Educating neurodivergent youth on the different social cues and nuances of online communication can help them identify harmful behavior. Role-playing or simulation exercises can improve their ability to recognize sarcasm or manipulation.
  • Encouragement of Self-Advocacy: Teaching neurodivergent individuals to confidently assert their boundaries and report inappropriate behavior can help them take control of their online interactions.
  • Parental or Guardian Monitoring with Consent: For younger neurodivergent individuals, monitored online access may help detect and prevent cyberbullying. Establishing check-ins with parents or guardians can provide a safety net while respecting their autonomy.
  • Building a Trusted Support Network: Helping neurodivergent individuals identify trusted friends, mentors, or mental health professionals for support can provide them with guidance and validation when they face online harassment.
  • Guidance on Digital Boundaries: Encouraging the use of privacy settings, blocking, and reporting features can help neurodivergent people feel more in control of their online environment.

What Is Catfishing and Is That a Form of Cyberbullying?

Catfishing is the act of creating a fake online persona, usually to deceive others in romantic or social interactions. This often involves using fake photos and fabricated details to build trust, manipulate emotions, or exploit the targeted person for attention, financial gain, or other motives. Catfishing crosses into cyberbullying when it is used to manipulate, control, or harm the victim emotionally or psychologically. In these cases, the deception leads to actions that intentionally cause distress, humiliation, or harm.

  • Emotional Manipulation and Exploitation: Catfishes may engage in intimate relationships with victims, only to reveal the deception in a way that humiliates or devastates the target. This betrayal can lead to intense emotional pain, self-doubt, and shame.
  • Revenge or Retaliation: Some catfishes may impersonate others to harm their reputation or retaliate against them. For example, they might spread false information or engage in hurtful behaviors to manipulate how the target is perceived by others.
  • Encouraging Inappropriate Behavior: In some cases, catfishes coax their targets into sharing personal information, photos, or messages, which are then used for blackmail or public humiliation. This level of coercion and betrayal aligns with cyberbullying, as it seeks to control and harm the target through threats.
  • Psychological and Social Damage: The effects of being catfished can be long-lasting, including loss of trust, damaged self-esteem, and social embarrassment. The target may feel foolish, violated, or deeply embarrassed, similar to impacts experienced in other forms of cyberbullying.

While catfishing itself isn’t always illegal, certain aspects, like fraud, identity theft, or harassment, can lead to legal consequences, especially if catfishing leads to financial exploitation or mental harm. Ethically, catfishing involves deception, breaching personal trust, and often constitutes a violation of consent, which aligns with the coercive elements of cyberbullying.

Educating users about the signs of catfishing (e.g., avoiding video calls, evasive answers, or refusing to meet in person) can help them recognize and avoid deception. Encouraging individuals, especially younger internet users, to verify information and avoid sharing personal details too quickly can also be a protective measure. Individuals who feel uneasy about online interactions should feel comfortable reaching out to friends, family, or mentors for advice.

What Is OnlyFans?

OnlyFans is a subscription-based online platform where creators share exclusive content—often adult material—directly with subscribers, who pay a fee for access. It allows creators to monetize photos, videos, and live streams and is popular in various niches, including fitness, music, and lifestyle. OnlyFans, as a platform, is typically not associated directly with cyberbullying or catfishing, but issues of manipulation, deception, and exploitation can arise depending on how content is created, promoted, and consumed.

OnlyFans and similar platforms are often used by creators to monetize exclusive or personal content, frequently involving adult material. Some argue that the platform’s setup inherently promotes manipulation, particularly if creators use emotional appeal, flirtation, or personalized messaging to build financial dependence. This can lead to emotional and financial exploitation, especially among vulnerable individuals who may feel a personal connection to creators. Some subscribers may form an emotional attachment to creators, believing they are building a real relationship. Creators might encourage this attachment to increase revenue, leading to a form of emotional manipulation. There can be cases where subscribers are encouraged to keep spending with promises of personalized content or interactions, which may create a form of dependency or compulsion to keep paying.

While OnlyFans isn’t typically used for catfishing in the strict sense (such as creating a completely fake identity), elements of deception can exist. Some creators may use heavily edited or strategically framed photos and messages to create a certain persona or lifestyle. While this isn’t inherently deceptive, it could feel misleading to subscribers who may think they are getting to know the “real” person. There are instances where content or interactions are managed by third parties or agencies rather than the creators themselves. In these cases, subscribers may be led to believe they are engaging with the creator directly when they are, in fact, interacting with hired representatives.

For some, the structure of platforms like OnlyFans can be seen as exploitative. Many creators join these platforms due to financial necessity, not personal choice. This can lead to feelings of exploitation, as individuals may feel compelled to expose personal aspects of their lives for income. In some unfortunate cases, people may be coerced into creating content under pressure from others, making it exploitative in a very real sense.

Generally, OnlyFans doesn’t align with the concept of cyberbullying, as it lacks the aggressive, targeted harassment often associated with bullying. However, creators may be subject to cyberbullying from users or non-subscribers, facing harassment, judgment, or even exposure and “doxxing” (the unauthorized release of private information) due to the stigma around adult content. This is closer to cyberbullying, as it targets individuals with the intent to harm or shame them for their online presence.

From a legal and ethical perspective, OnlyFans operates within a gray area. While the platform itself promotes creator autonomy, issues arise when individuals feel deceived, manipulated, or exploited. Ethical concerns about the platform often focus on whether users are fully aware of the reality behind their interactions or are overly influenced by social attachments. Additionally, society’s views on adult content can lead to stigma, judgment, and online harassment, complicating the experience for many creators and subscribers.

To avoid cyberbullying, it’s important for both adults and children to have empathy and respect in their online interactions, remembering that there is a real person behind every screen name. Encouraging understanding and kindness can help prevent hurtful behavior in digital spaces. Setting healthy boundaries is equally crucial; for young people, this includes taking regular breaks from social media, blocking or reporting problematic users, and avoiding engagement with harmful comments or content. Maintaining privacy and security is another key step in prevention—individuals should be vigilant about protecting their personal information and be selective about who they allow to interact with their profiles. Finally, building strong support networks is essential; young people should be encouraged to seek help from trusted adults or friends if they experience or witness cyberbullying, ensuring they have a safe space to talk and receive guidance. By taking these steps, both adults and children can reduce the risks of falling victim to or perpetuating cyberbullying.

Vishwani Sahai-Siddiqui, MDVishwani Sahai-Siddiqui, MD

Vishwani’s opinions are her own and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical care.

Vishwani Sahai-Siddiqui is a residency- and fellowship-trained psychiatrist, now a medical writer and editor, and the owner of The Cognitive Quill. For more information, please visit cognitivequill.com or email vishwanipsychmd@gmail.com.

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