True digital wellness isn't just about technical guardrails and policy enforcement—it’s about whether people actually feel emotionally secure and like they belong. For young people, a platform is only as welcoming as it feels, and they deserve online spaces where they can connect authentically without fear of cruelty or isolation.

As we mark the close of National Bullying Prevention Month, we should recognize that bullying has evolved. It no longer looks only like overt schoolyard confrontation anymore or a spat between friend groups. Instead, conflict can manifest online in subtle, insidious ways such as deliberate group-chat exclusion, meme-targeted ridicule, and direct hostility hidden behind a screen. 

While the topic can feel heavy, the latest findings from Snap’s Digital Well-Being Index – which measures Gen Z's digital well-being across platforms (not just Snapchat) – offer hope. While the percentage of teens who self-reported having experienced online bullying has edged higher over the last five years, the vast majority of teens are turning to their support systems after experiencing issues online. Specifically, in 2026, 70% of teens across six countries (Australia, France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States) sought help after facing risks like online bullying or unwanted contact—up from 64% in 2022 (after a dip to 59% in 2023). Parents feel that bridge as well, with 84% reporting this year that their teens approached them directly about digital challenges. We’re making these results available today in conjunction with Bullying Prevention Month; full findings from the 2026 study will be released on Safer Internet Day 2027 in early February.

In our latest episode of Digital Wellness Check, our Global Head of Platform Safety, Jacqueline Beauchere, spoke with Nicholas Carlisle, CEO of Power of Zero, to unpack how online conflict evolves and what educators, parents, and platforms can do to help cultivate early empathy, positive bystander habits, and resilience.

Watch the full discussion below.