Cyberbullying During Lockdown: How Virtual Counseling Helped Teens

When COVID-19 hit, teens found themselves glued to screens more than ever. This increase in digital activity also meant an uptick in cyberbullying, becoming a major health concern. Research on how teens dealt with this through counselling was limited. So, a study explored the experiences of ten high school students who received counselling during the pandemic. They shared their emotions, challenges, and the positive impact of counselling on their self-perception and growth.The study found that cyberbullying caused intense emotional pain, especially during this isolated time. Teens faced hurdles like privacy worries and technical issues when seeking help. Counselling became a crucial lifeline, helping them cope with the bullying's effects. Over time, these teens saw improvements in their self-identity and emotional strength. They also showed commitment to continuing their counselling sessions. Despite some challenges, virtual counselling turned out to be a vital resource for the teens' personal growth and development during the pandemic.