Striking Thoughts About Amanda’s Story:
This documentary reminds me of Emman Atienza. She was a Filipino-Taiwanese social media personality and a mental health advocate. She had sent some nude photos to a guy, and he forwarded them to his friends, which led to the photos being leaked. This became a prominent issue in her life. She was bullied in high school, and that experience contributed to her mental health struggles. Sadly, she passed away on October 22, 2025, at the age of 19. Her death was caused by suicide; she was found in her home in Los Angeles, California.
The dark reality of the internet was clearly reflected in Amanda’s story. It was awful how people exploited someone’s vulnerability to torment them and demand something cruel. Being sexually extorted for years must have felt like hell. I cannot imagine how hard those years were for her.
This documentary is a powerful eye-opener, especially for teens. It shows that there are so many predators lurking online. I was in high school when Amanda’s story unfolded, and I remember how we, as teenagers, were also trying to navigate the internet. My classmates and I used Yahoo to chat and would open our webcams whenever we felt like it. I was scared to talk to strangers, so I stuck with people I personally knew.
I don’t blame Amanda for using the internet as an outlet to express her emotions. At some point, she found the validation she was looking for.
Amanda’s Experiences Revealed the Nature of Bullying:
Her experiences were beyond unimaginable. They revealed how some people can be vile and purely evil. Cyberbullying can happen to anyone. People can find something in what you post online and use it against you. While TikTok is one of the social media platforms that teens use nowadays, this digital space is not always safe for everyone. A single comment from a random stranger can ruin your mood—or even your entire day. If you post something unconventional, you might trend, but you’ll also likely become a target of online hate. These hateful responses can trigger past trauma and lead to harmful thoughts, including self-harm. I don’t hate these kinds of applications. However, things are getting out of hand. Some of the challenges young people may face in these digital spaces—especially when used without caution—include online harassment, exploitation of personal data, and cyberbullying.
Educators’ Role in Helping Students Stay Safe Online:
I believe that teaching students how to safely use the internet is a great start. Internet literacy can help children avoid engaging in risky behaviors online. The goal is to help them understand that they should not be exploited or have their personal data used against them. This can be a challenge for educators, especially since teens often act impulsively online. However, consistent reminders can help them grasp the seriousness of these issues. Educators should focus on guiding students in what they share online, who they communicate with, how to protect their personal information, and the kind of content they post.
Teachers fostering digital empathy, online responsibility, and care among students:
I believe that when discussing a sensitive topic like this, it’s important to share my own experiences in a way that helps others feel safe and comfortable opening up about theirs. One way to encourage students to speak is by leveling with them—meeting them where they are and showing empathy.
Tackling the Barriers in Addressing Issues Like Cyberbullying—and How to Overcome Them:
One of the barriers I see is the lack of resources and time dedicated to addressing cyberbullying. Since most kids and teens today are active online, it’s crucial to address this issue directly. To break this barrier, schools should invest in training staff and educators on strategies to combat cyberbullying. Families play a vital role in this effort, so partnering with them is essential. Schools can lead workshops that include families and other community members to build awareness and support.
I know it’s still a long road to creating a truly safe online space, especially with vicious individuals still lurking on the internet. But the steps mentioned above are a strong start. Ignorance and fear should not prevent us from tackling these challenges. We’re talking about our youth—let’s protect them.
Disclaimer: Used Copilot as a grammar checker! 🙂
Hi Katrina,
Your response is very thoughtful! There were many stories like Amanda’s and Emman’s that reminded me of others, it is so sad that this happens way more often then we expect. Empathy and understanding are definitely the most powerful tools in changing these situations. There is always so much that teachers can do, and it is absolutely a topic that should be discussed at home as well. I hope there are efforts such as workshops put in place to educate everyone about these harmful situations.
-Emma