Digital abuse doesn’t end when the phone is turned off. In fact, it can have lasting social and emotional impacts on teens. Digital abuse can make school, home, and work life harder for young people you care about. In part 3 of our series on digital abuse during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), SARCC explores the impacts of digital abuse on teen mental health.
Because online spaces are constant and public, digital abuse can deeply affect a young person’s mental health—even when adults don’t see it happening. Impacts can include anxiety and hyper vigilance, feelings of depression or worthlessness, difficulty sleeping or changes in eating. You may also notice that your teen is withdrawing from social relationships. Digital abuse can effect focus and concentration, making school harder. Teens struggling with mental health may even use self-harming behaviors to try to cope with the hurt.
Unlike in-person conflict, digital abuse can feel inescapable—messages, comments, and threats can follow teens everywhere.
Why Teens May Minimize It
Teens often say:
- “It’s not that bad.”
- “Everyone deals with this.”
- “I should be able to handle it.”
This doesn’t mean it isn’t serious—it means they may lack the language or support to name what’s happening.
What Actually Helps
- Naming the behavior as abuse (without forcing labels)
- Teaching digital boundaries as relationship skills
- Normalizing help-seeking
- Providing consistent, non-judgmental support
Digital safety is mental health care. You can reach a Sexual Assault Counselor on our hotline 24/7 at 570-628-2965 or 717-272-5308. Schools all have Safe2Say lines where you can connect with help or request support. Parents and other caring adults who want to learn more can contact our Prevention Specialists to request Project SELFIE programs, Social Development Strategy training, or Mandated Reporter trainings at no cost.
