# Young People With Mental Health Concerns Face Online Harassment—But Rarely Report It
A new Child Mind Institute study reveals a troubling gap between what happens to young people online and what gets reported. More than one in four youth with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions experienced a negative online experience in the past year. Yet only one in five actually used platform reporting tools to flag the incident.
This reporting gap matters because platforms rely on user reports to identify and remove harmful content. When young people stay silent, bad actors face no consequences. The cycle continues unchecked.
Youth with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder appear particularly vulnerable to online harassment, cyberbullying, and unwanted contact. These populations may struggle with the social skills needed to recognize harmful behavior or feel too overwhelmed to navigate reporting systems. Some young people worry that speaking up will make things worse or fear they'll get in trouble for being online in the first place.
Platform reporting tools themselves may pose barriers. Many teenagers find them confusing or time-consuming. Others doubt that companies will actually take action. When a young person reports harassment and sees no result, they're less likely to try again.
Parents can help bridge this gap by creating a judgment-free space where kids feel comfortable sharing negative online experiences. Rather than jumping to blame or punishment, listen first. Ask what happened and how they're feeling. Help them understand that reporting isn't tattling. It's a tool designed to protect them and others.
Talk with your teen about which platforms they use and what reporting looks like on each one. Some teens benefit from reporting incidents together with a parent, at least initially. You can also document screenshots or save evidence before removing the content, which helps both you and platforms understand what occurred.
If your child has ADHD, autism, anxiety, or depression, assume they may need extra support navigating online safety. These young people don