Story perspectives

Netflix's 'The High School Catfish' Sparks Cyberbullying Debate

9/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

"Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" is Netflix's top documentary, with 26.3 million views in its second week.
It chronicles Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny's two-year cyberbullying experience, beginning in 2020.
Director Skye Borgman includes reenactments with Kendra Licari, Lauryn's mother, who was convicted of stalking.
The film raises ethical questions about depicting personal stories involving minors.
It underscores the widespread issue of cyberbullying, affecting 21% of school-aged children annually.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 documentary "Catfish" popularized the term for deceptive online identities, revealing the risks of social media. In 2022, Kendra Licari was charged for cyberbullying students, including her daughter, under a fake identity. This incident underscores the ongoing issues of online harassment, with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reporting that 1 in 5 youth receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.

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Story summary

"Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" is Netflix's top documentary, with 26.3 million views in its second week.
It chronicles Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny's two-year cyberbullying experience, beginning in 2020.
Director Skye Borgman includes reenactments with Kendra Licari, Lauryn's mother, who was convicted of stalking.
The film raises ethical questions about depicting personal stories involving minors.
It underscores the widespread issue of cyberbullying, affecting 21% of school-aged children annually.

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