6 Netflix Shows About Cyberbullying That Will Make You Think Twice Before Posting

Published 08/31/2025, 1:09 PM EDT

Netflix has a unique way of turning dark realities into gripping stories. One shadowy corner of life that has quietly ruined countless lives is cyberbullying. Using social media, messages, or fake profiles, online mistreatment can escalate quickly, leaving victims exposed and isolated. From anonymous threats to rumors that spread like wildfire, the impact can be devastating. Netflix shows dive into this digital nightmare, revealing the pain, the psychology of the bullies, and the silent suffering of those caught in the crossfire.

Here is a list of 6 Netflix shows that plunge into the dark world of cyberbullying, revealing the terrifying ways online cruelty can destroy lives and shatter minds.

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

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The gripping true crime documentary from director Skye Borgman begins with a chilling text from a blocked number. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, which premiered on August 29, 2025, exposes a disturbing case of cyberbullying that throws a small town into chaos. The story follows a teenage girl and her boyfriend as they endure relentless online attacks from an anonymous source.

As investigators dig into the months-long ordeal, shocking secrets emerge that completely upend their understanding of the case. Produced by Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans, and executive produced by Borgman, Ross Girard, Tom Forman, David Metzler, Justin Sprague, and Alysia Sofios, the documentary is brought to life by Campfire Studios in collaboration with Terminal B TV.

Adolescence

Adolescence is a British psychological crime drama directed by Philip Barantini and written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham. The series follows thirteen-year-old Jamie Miller, portrayed by Owen Cooper, who is arrested for the murder of a schoolmate, Katie Leonard. Set in a northern English town, the story explores how relentless online mockery and social media torment contributed to Jamie's descent, highlighting the destructive power of cyberbullying.

Shot in continuous takes, each episode captures the tension and emotional fallout on Jamie, his family, and the community. Critics praised the series for its bold direction, immersive storytelling, and haunting portrayal of the real-world consequences of digital cruelty.

The Social Dilemma

The Social Dilemma is a 2020 American docudrama directed by Jeff Orlowski that exposes the hidden dangers of social media and its psychological impact. Interweaving expert interviews with a dramatized family narrative, the film highlights how online platforms exploit user behavior, manipulate attention, and amplify toxic content. Central to its exploration is the damaging effect of cyberbullying, particularly on teenagers, as relentless online mockery and peer pressure exacerbate depression, low self-esteem, and social isolation.

By illustrating the addictive algorithms and the depersonalized way technology companies treat users, the documentary reveals how digital cruelty spreads unchecked, leaving lasting emotional and societal consequences while urging awareness and action against these pervasive online harms.

Nickelodeon’s Chaotic Hit ‘The Loud House’ Finds a New Home on Netflix US

The exploration of cyberbullying on Netflix does not stop with the first few titles. Three more chilling series take viewers deeper into the dark, destructive world of online cruelty.

Black Mirror

Two notable Black Mirror episodes explore the dark side of online harassment and cyberbullying. In Shut Up and Dance (Season 3, Episode 3), a teenager’s computer is hacked, revealing a private video, and he, along with other victims, is blackmailed into performing increasingly disturbing tasks by an anonymous force. The episode highlights how secrets can be weaponized, showing a chilling form of cyberbullying.

Meanwhile, Hated in the Nation (Season 3, Episode 6) follows two detectives investigating the deaths of public figures targeted by a viral social media hate campaign. This story demonstrates how relentless online attacks can escalate into real-world violence, illustrating the profound dangers of digital cruelty.

Cyber Hell: Exposing An Internet Horror

In Cyber Hell, a dark underworld of online chat rooms thrived, concealing shocking s-- crimes and exploiting unsuspecting victims. Uncovering the network and bringing its operators to justice demanded courage, skill, and relentless determination. Netflix’s gripping docuseries dives into the chilling investigation, exposing the methods used by perpetrators and the tireless efforts of authorities to dismantle the digital criminal empire.

Featuring Chang Eun-jo, Moon Hyung-wook, Cho Ju-bin, Yeon-Seo Oh, and Kim Wan, the series illuminates the terrifying realities of online exploitation and the human resilience needed to confront it.

The Circle

The Circle is a reality competition that exposes the unsettling consequences of online personas and digital deception. Contestants live in isolation, interacting solely through a social media platform where they can portray themselves in any way, often catfishing others. Ratings, popularity, and influence dictate survival, amplifying rivalries, manipulation, and psychological pressure.

The show reveals how online interactions can distort reality, breed cruelty, and create a fertile ground for cyberbullying, as players weaponize secrets, fabricate identities, and exploit vulnerabilities to climb the rankings. Beneath the glitzy competition, The Circle serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of the internet and social media obsession.

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Netflix’s guide to digital safety through gripping dramas

By releasing shows like Adolescence, which quickly gain massive attention and broke records, Netflix highlights the urgent need for digital safety and awareness about cyberbullying. These series explore the dangers of online harassment, misinformation, and social media pressures, showing how impressionable young people can be affected. By dramatizing real-world consequences, Netflix encourages conversations about responsible internet use, emotional well-being, and the hidden risks of constant connectivity. Storytelling becomes a tool to make cybersecurity issues relatable, pressing, and impossible to ignore.

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What do you think about Netflix's attempt to raise awareness through such shows? Let us know in the comments below.

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Yusra Miraj Khan

926 articles

Yusra Miraj Khan is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. Specializing in Taylor Swift and the British Royal Family, she transforms modern mythologies into high-ranking, reader-first narratives. Since joining in early 2025, Khan has penned over 500 articles, known for their sharp decoding of Easter eggs and PR silences.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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