How to Protect Your Mental Health from Bullying, Trolling, and Online Harassment
October 15, 2025
Bullying is not just a face-to-face phenomenon anymore; it has also found its way online, and it is damaging mental health. In this post, I will use my experience and the experiences of others to highlight the danger of online hate and how to protect yourself from it. As a content creator, I post my travels, life as I navigate the world. I posted a reel one day about some challenges of being a student living abroad, and while some found it inspiring and others left hurtful comments, the third group admonished me and criticised me unjustly, and claimed my experiences were false. At first, it affected my mental health, and I considered ceasing content creation, but with friends providing emotional support, boundaries, and the decision to stand my ground and not give up, I continue to create content I am proud of, while preserving my peace.
I will also discuss the situation of Star Stone, an actress who became a target of hate after her viral video was manipulated and exploited to harm her. Online abuse and bullying affected Stone for years and caused her immense psychological harm. Despite all this, she took the painful comments and manipulation of her story by others and formed a one-woman show titled 'The Star Stone'. Another victim of online abuse is the UK’s Tyler Webb, a perpetrator who took advantage of a vulnerable young woman from YouTube comments, and his manipulation resulted in psychological trauma and harm. Webb was charged under the Online Safety Act and serves as an important figure of the consequences of online abuse.
From Cyberbullying to Resilience
I've always enjoyed creating content, travelling, documenting my journeys, and sharing bits of my life on social media. I even had some Instagram reels hit 1 million views. People liked my lifestyle, my confidence, and my creativity.
One day, I posted something different - a reel where I opened up about the struggles of living abroad as a student. I talked about the fact that I left behind the comforts and luxuries of home to survive in another country. For some, it was inspiring. For others, it became fuel for hate.
Suddenly, my comments section became a battleground. I tried to respond at first, defend myself and explain my reality. But hate spreads quicker than kindness online, and soon it was affecting my mental health. I spoke to my close ones, took their advice, and protected my space. I turned off comments. I blocked the worst ones. And most importantly, I didn't stop. Because I realised something important: Today, I still create the content that I love! Not for the haters, not because I need approval, but because I love to create.
My experience is just one example, but it made me wonder: what happens to people psychologically when they face digital hate or emotional invalidation online?
Case Study: Star Stone- From Viral Villain to Reclaimed Identity
One recent example that highlights the long-term psychological toll of cyberbullying is the case of Star Stone, an American actress who became the target of mass online harassment after a video she appeared in was edited and circulated online. The clip was heavily manipulated to portray her as a “villain”, and it gained millions of views across TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, and other platforms. What began as a viral moment quickly escalated into relentless abuse, ranging from insults and mockery to character attacks by strangers who knew nothing about her beyond that one distorted clip.
Over the next five years, Stone endured continuous cyberbullying. The constant exposure to hate severely affected her mental health, leading to anxiety, emotional burnout, and identity disturbance. Despite withdrawing from social media to protect herself, the mockery persisted through reposts and resurfaced commentary. Rather than allowing the internet to define her, she chose to fight back not with anger, but with creativity. Star wrote and performed a one-woman multimedia show titled “Villain Era”, using the actual abusive comments she had received and transforming them into a narrative of resilience. By reclaiming the story that had been forced upon her, she effectively shifted from being a victim of the internet to an author of her own image.
Legal Precedent: The Tyler Webb Case and the Enforcement of the Online Safety Act
In one of the first major legal applications of the Online Safety Act 2023, the UK witnessed a landmark case in 2025 involving Tyler Webb, a man who deliberately targeted a vulnerable 21-year-old woman through mental health forums. Under the guise of support, Webb manipulated her during video calls, coercing her into self-harm and even giving explicit instructions on how to take her own life. His behaviour went far beyond casual online cruelty; it was calculated psychological exploitation.
The victim survived, but the impact on her mental health was severe, involving trauma, dependency, and suicidal ideation caused directly by online manipulation. The court recognised the gravity of digital coercion and sentenced Webb under the newly enforced Online Safety Act, marking a significant turning point in how online abuse is legally addressed in the UK.
Why This Case Matters
- It proves that cyberbullying is not just “words on a screen” and it can escalate into real-world psychological control and life-threatening harm.
- It shows that laws are evolving to recognise and punish digital abuse as seriously as physical violence.
- Most importantly, it sends a clear message: online anonymity is no longer a shield for those who prey on vulnerable individuals.
How to deal with Cyberbullying
Step away from toxic online spaces
- Star Stone had to leave social media for her peace of mind.
- It’s okay to block, mute, or delete apps that hurt you.
- Protecting your mind is more important than staying online.
Talk to someone you trust
- In the Tyler Webb case, the victim survived because help eventually came.
- When someone is bullied or manipulated online, they often feel alone, but opening up to a friend, family member, or therapist can save lives.
- Silence makes bullying stronger. Speaking up weakens it.
Express yourself instead of staying silent
- Star Stone fought back creatively and turned hurtful comments into a stage performance.
- You don’t need to do something big. Writing, journaling, art, or talking about your story can help you take back control.
- Your voice is stronger than their hate.
Use the Law — Cyberbullying can be a crime
- Tyler Webb was punished under the UK Online Safety Act for encouraging self-harm.
- This proves that online abuse is not “just words”; it can be reported and stopped.
- If things get serious, tell the police or report it to the platform.
What Increases the Risk of Being Bullied?
Poor body image
Students who felt unhappy with their body or appearance were more likely to be bullied (especially girls).
Unfriendly or toxic school environment
When a school feels unsafe, unfair, or unfriendly, bullying spreads more easily.
Bullying from teachers
Some students claim that teachers themselves bullied them. Those students were at high risk of also being bullied by other students.
So, bullying is not just about “mean kids”. It is often about school culture, whether teachers support students, whether racism or sexism is tolerated, and whether students feel safe speaking.
How Does Bullying Affect Mental Health?
All types of bullying or cyberbullying were strongly linked to mental and physical problems, such as:
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
- Feeling sad or hopeless
Bullying has profound effects on those who experience both bullying and cyberbullying combined. These students were up to 8 times more likely to show signs of depression. Many felt they had no escape because the bullying continued 24/7, even at home.
How to protect your mental health from cyberbullying
Protecting our mental health from cyberbullying starts with recognising that online hate says more about the bully than the target. For example, a 15-year-old girl in Sweden reported being repeatedly mocked about her appearance on social media, and within months began experiencing sleep problems and constant anxiety. This is very common, as research shows that cyberbullying is strongly linked to depression and long-term emotional distress.
Despite this, there are proven strategies to protect ourselves. First, we should block and report abusive accounts rather than replying, as responding often fuels more harassment. Second, taking screenshots as evidence helps if the situation needs to be reported to parents, schools or online platforms. Third, it’s essential to talk to someone rather than suffer in silence, whether that’s a friend, sibling or counsellor. Research warns that bullying in adolescence can affect mental health well into adulthood, which is why seeking support early is not a weakness, but prevention.
Finally, balancing screen time with real-life hobbies, practising self-care, and surrounding ourselves with positive online spaces can restore confidence and resilience. Cyberbullying may be loud, but our well-being deserves to be louder.
If someone is attacking you online, it’s easy to feel powerless, but you’re not. Here are some simple ways to protect your peace:
Don’t give bullies what they want
Most bullies post things just to get a reaction. If you don’t reply, they usually get bored and stop.
Block them instantly
You do not owe anyone access to you. If someone makes you feel bad, remove them from your space.
Save the messages or screenshots
Even if you delete them later, it’s good to have proof in case things get serious.
Tell someone
A friend, a parent, a teacher, it doesn’t matter who. Just don’t carry it alone. Talking makes it feel lighter.
Step away from your screen
Take a break. Go outside, listen to music, watch something funny, remind yourself that the online world isn’t your whole world.
Follow people who lift you up
Fill your feed with creators, friends or communities that make you smile, not feel insecure.
Repeat this to yourself
“Their words don’t define me.” Because they don’t. Hurt people try to hurt others. That’s their problem, not yours.