People treating other people badly is as old as humanity. But today, the internet with social media lets us do it on a scale our ancestors could never imagine. Online abuse comes with physical consequences, including but not limited to addiction, depression, loneliness, riots, and suicide.
See "Protecting Our Kids Online" for my presentations and blog posts about keeping our kids safe online. But I am no psychology expert, so use this page as a resource to learn more and find help about dealing with the psychology behind online abuse.
Table of Contents
- Pieces Fitting Multiple Categories
- Public indoctrination - using internet viral lies or other information warfare tactics to sway the public to a desired point of view.
- Grooming - becoming friends with somebody with a hidden agenda to lure them into slavery, usually with sex trafficking or terrorism.
- Bullying - abusing a power position to mistreat somebody vulnerable.
- Fighting Back
Pieces Fitting Multiple Categories
- Jacob Bryant with The Lanier Law Firm asked me to post a link to its article, "Social Media Addiction Statistics."
- Jimmy Tepper with an organization named Class Action U asked me to share "A Guide to Protecting Teens Online."
Online Abuse: Public Indoctrination
- MIT News - Study: On Twitter, false news travels faster than true stories
- The Rand Corporation - The Russian "Firehose of Falsehood" Propaganda Model: Why It Might Work and Options to Counter it
- Scientific American - Biases Make People Vulnerable to Misinformation Spread by Social Media
Grooming
Books
Other sources
- C.A.S.T. (Citizens Against Sex Trafficking): Equipping everyday people to prevent exploitation before it begins.
- International Justice Mission: a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence.
- Polaris Project: a survivor-centered, justice- and equity-driven movement to end human trafficking.
- Trafficking Justice: Fighting for freedom from sexual exploitation and trafficking in Minnesota.
Online Abuse: Bullying
- Chloé Moreau asked me to post this article about parents sharing content about their children online.
- Francine Heller with Lawfirm.com asked me to post this article about bullying against special needs children.
- Isabelle Gordon asked me to post Violence among Children & Teens: The Most Important Stats and Facts in 2025.
- Nomhle Mcunu contacted me with a couple of links that might be helpful. The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers an article, “How and Why Bullying Leads to Addiction in Kids.” And the Recovery Village website offers, “Exploring the Link Between Social Media and Depression,” including tips for parents. I’ll put links to these treatment centers on my substance abuse page.
- Rachel Winston with The Social Media Victims’ Law Center (SMVLC) asked me to post this link about the effects of cyberbullying. It suggests cyberbullying is common on social media and includes:
Fighting Back
- Homeschool educator Elizabeth Dean asked me to post "Cybersecurity Student Checklist" that her student, Maria, found.
- Lily Myers with the Law Firm of Andreozzi + Foote asked me to post this link to reporting sexual abuse.
- Rob Mitchell with AllConnect.com asked me to post this cyber-bullying resource guide.
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