Netflix’s new series, Unknown Number, tells the true story of a group of friends who start getting texts from someone they don’t know. At first, the messages seem random, but they quickly become serious and stressful. The show depicts how scary and hurtful cyberbullying can be, especially when the person sending the messages stays anonymous. It also explores the challenges of trusting friends when you’re unsure who is behind the messages.
Cyberbullying is different from normal bullying. Regular bullying usually ends when school is over, but cyberbullying can happen anytime, anywhere. Phones, apps, and social media let messages follow you home, even at night. In Unknown Number, the characters never feel safe from the constant texts. One character even says she checked her phone in the middle of the night, worried about what the next message would say. Many students today understand that feeling—checking their phones and worrying about a mean comment, a rumor, or a threat.
One line from the series says, “The scariest part is not knowing who’s behind the screen. It could be anyone.” This explains why anonymous messages are so stressful. When you don’t know who is sending them, it can make you suspicious of friends or classmates. In the show, the friends start to argue and lose trust in each other because of the messages. This shows how cyberbullying can affect not just the person being bullied, but everyone around them.
Cyberbullying can have long-term effects. People who are bullied online often feel anxious, lonely, or unsafe. It can hurt grades, damage friendships, and lower confidence. In Unknown Number, the characters struggle with these problems. They start to feel trapped, and their friendships change. The show makes it clear that online bullying can really affect someone’s life.
Unknown Number is more than just a show. It reminds viewers that cyberbullying is serious and not just “drama.” Every message can hurt, and the effects can last a long time. For students, parents, and teachers, it shows that we need to take online behavior seriously.
By telling this true story, Unknown Number makes us think about how we act online. It reminds us that even if messages seem small, they can really hurt someone. If you wouldn’t say it in person, you shouldn’t say it online.
