Remember when bullying meant stolen pencils, cruel nicknames, or a shove in the hallway? Those days feel almost old-school. Fast forward to 2025, and bullying has gone digital sliding into DMs, blowing up in group chats, and trending on TikTok. What used to end when the school bell rang now follows students everywhere, buzzing in their pockets long after class is over.
Always Switched On
The rise of social media has blurred the line between school life and home life. For today’s students, there is no safe corner to retreat to, because bullying can happen 24/7. A nasty comment online doesn’t just sting in the moment it lingers, shared and reshared, watched by hundreds.
In my own classes, I often hear students speak casually about “being dragged” or “getting cancelled.” What strikes me is how normalized online cruelty has become. A sarcastic post or a flood of laughing emojis can wound just as deeply as a punch in the playground. Yet because it happens behind screens, many adults underestimate its impact.
Why it Hits Harder
Cyberbullying cuts deeper for several reasons. First, it’s public. A cruel TikTok or viral meme can reach an audience far larger than a classroom. Second, it’s permanent. Screenshots can resurface months or even years later, reopening old wounds. And third, it’s anonymous. Trolls often hide behind fake accounts, making victims feel cornered by faceless attackers.
Research shows that cyberbullying increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and even self-harm among young people. Teachers and parents may dismiss online fights as “kids being kids,” but for students, the humiliation is real and constant.
Not Just Students
It isn’t only children facing this reality. As lecturers and educators, we also encounter trolling in digital spaces. A simple comment on a public post can spark waves of criticism. I have seen young adults withdraw from campus activities because they fear being recorded, mocked, or exposed online. The culture of “gotcha” videos and viral shaming has created an environment where mistakes are no longer private lessons, but public spectacles.
Why it Persists
The problem is fuelled by the platforms themselves. Algorithms thrive on outrage and engagement, often rewarding the very content that hurts others. A mocking video or cruel joke may gather more views than a thoughtful discussion. For teenagers seeking attention and validation, the temptation is strong.
Add to that the difficulty of regulation. Schools can punish what happens on campus, but what about a TikTok posted at midnight? Parents may confiscate phones, but digital natives know how to create new accounts within minutes. The cycle continues.
What We Can Do
The solution is not as simple as banning social media it’s too deeply woven into modern life. Instead, we need to teach digital resilience. Just as children learn to cross the road safely, they must learn how to navigate the online world without getting crushed by it.
This means giving students the tools to manage online conflict, to set boundaries, and to report abuse. It also means teaching empathy reminding them that a cruel comment online cuts as deeply as a shove in real life.
As educators, we must also model responsible digital behaviour. In my classes, I encourage students to think twice before posting, to ask themselves: “Would I say this face-to-face?” That simple pause can prevent a lot of harm.
A New Definition of Courage
Perhaps most importantly, we need to redefine what bravery looks like in the digital age. It is no longer just standing up to a bully in the schoolyard. Today, courage can mean refusing to forward a hurtful video, speaking out when a friend is targeted, or supporting someone who has been shamed online.
The shift from playground punches to TikTok trolls reminds us that while the form of bullying has changed, the pain it causes remains the same. The difference is that now, the audience is global and the scars can last much longer.
If we want our young people to thrive, we must take cyberbullying as seriously as any physical fight. Because in 2025, the real battleground is not the playground it’s the screen in every student’s hand.
This is the author's personal view and does not necessarily represent the views or official position of RTM.
Dr. Saheera Binti Sardar Mohamed,
Senior Lecturer Mass Communication
Faculty Business and Communication
INTI International University