Is Cyberbully Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Abinaya | Updated May 08, 2023
About Cyberbully
Released in 2011, "Cyberbully" is a made-for-television film that brings to light the disturbing issue of cyberbullying. The movie follows the life of a teenage girl, Taylor Hillridge, portrayed by Emily Osment, who becomes the target of a vicious online bully. The cyberbully sends hurtful and demeaning messages to Taylor through her computer and mobile phone, causing her to feel isolated and helpless.
The movie provides a realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of the impact of cyberbullying on the mental health and social relationships of young people. It depicts how Taylor's confidence and self-esteem gradually decline as she becomes a victim of persistent online abuse. The movie also highlights the danger of anonymity online and how it can embolden bullies to act with impunity, causing immense harm to their targets.
Through the character of Taylor, the film emphasises the importance of seeking help from trusted friends, family members, or professionals when dealing with cyberbullying. The movie also shows how speaking up about online harassment can lead to concrete action and justice for the victims. Overall, "Cyberbully" is a poignant and thought-provoking film that raises awareness about the perils of cyberbullying and advocates for greater online safety and responsibility.
Is Cyberbully Based on a True Story?
The storyline of the movie Cyberbully is believed to have been influenced by the tragic real-life events surrounding the suicide of a Missouri teenager named Megan Meier. Megan took her own life after being bullied online by a group of people, including her neighbour, Lori Drew, Drew's daughter, and their employee, Ashley Grills. The group had created a fake profile of a teenage boy named Josh Evans and pretended to be Megan's friend, only to turn on her and start bullying her online.
This cyberbullying campaign caused Megan to become deeply depressed and ultimately take her own life. While the movie is not directly based on Megan's story, it draws on some of the same themes of cyberbullying, social media, and the devastating impact it can have on young people.
Cyberbully Movie Cast
Emily Osment
Taylor Hillridge
Kay Panabaker
Samantha Caldone
Meaghan Rath
Cheyenne Mortenson
Kelly Rowan
Kris Hillridge
Jon McLaren
Scott Ozsik
Jade Hassouné
Nick
Nastassia Markiewicz
Lindsay Fordyce
Robert Naylor
Eric Hillridge
Carlyn Burchell
Sarah
Joe Dinicol
Michael
Caroline Redekopp
Mrs. Simpson
Marcia Bennett
Mrs. Hill
Cynthia Preston
Dr. Barnes
John Bregar
Doug
Cassie Steele
Ally
Anthony Ulc
James
Actor/Actress
Character
Cyberbully Ending Explained
After being hospitalised, Taylor begins attending a support group where she meets others who have been bullied, including Caleb, who is bullied for being gay. Taylor also discovers that her best friend Samantha was the one who created the fake online profile and started the rumour. However, Taylor forgives Samantha, and they begin to repair their friendship.
Taylor's mother takes action by speaking to the school board and advocating for a law to prevent cyberbullying. With the help of her friends, Taylor confronts Lindsay and exposes her bullying behaviour in front of the entire school. Eventually, the state legislature passed a law criminalising cyberbullying in honour of Taylor and other victims. The movie ends with Taylor feeling more confident and empowered, surrounded by her supportive friends and family.
Cyberbully Plot
Taylor Hillridge, a high school student, resides in St. Louis, Missouri, with her single mother, Kris, and younger brother, Eric. She is best friends with two girls, Samantha Caldone and Cheyenne Mortenson. However, Taylor's relationship with her classmate Lindsay Fordyce turns sour when a seemingly innocent remark made by Taylor offends Lindsay.
On her 17th birthday, Taylor receives a computer as a gift from her mother and is thrilled at the prospect of exploring the internet without constant supervision. Around the same time, Taylor's crush, Scott, asks her to attend the school dance with him, and she accepts. While Cheyenne congratulates Taylor on her date, Samantha disapproves of Scott because she had a bad experience with one of his friends, who dumped her after they had sex.
Soon after, Taylor becomes a member of a social website called Cliquesters and quickly becomes a target of cyberbullying. She receives hateful messages from an anonymous bully who constantly taunts and belittles her on the site and through her phone. Cyberbullying gradually begins to take a toll on Taylor's mental health and relationships, highlighting the harmful effects of online harassment on young people.
Taylor's troubles escalate when her younger brother, Eric, hacks into her social media account and posts a lewd comment on her profile, causing her friends and classmates to turn against her. Despite Taylor's condemnation of Eric's actions, her mother punishes him severely. The cyberbullying continues to intensify as Taylor becomes the target of hurtful comments and rumours on the social website Cliquesters.
She also develops an online friendship with a boy named James, who ultimately spreads false rumours about Taylor, claiming that she had slept with him and contracted a sexually transmitted infection. As a result, Taylor is ostracised by her peers and labelled a "slut" and "whore." The situation takes a heavy toll on Taylor's mental health, and even her closest friends, Cheyenne and Samantha, begin to distance themselves from her.
Adding to her heartache, Scott, her crush, comes up with a flimsy excuse for not taking her to the dance, leaving Taylor feeling completely alone and hopeless. "Cyberbully" is a movie about a teenage girl named Taylor who becomes the victim of cyberbullying after making a seemingly harmless comment to a classmate. She receives hurtful messages from an anonymous bully and becomes afraid to face her friends at school.
The abuse pushes her to a breaking point, and she tries to commit suicide but is saved by her friend Samantha. Taylor's mother takes action to prevent others from experiencing the same problem, and Taylor finds support in a group for victims of bullying. With the support of her friends, Taylor confronts her bully and eventually forgives Samantha for her role in the bullying. The state legislature passes a bill criminalising cyberbullying in honour of Taylor and all victims of bullying.
Is Cyberbully based on a True Story? - FAQs
"Cyberbullying" is a film about Taylor Hillridge, a teenage girl who becomes a victim of cyberbullying after getting abusive messages on a social networking website. The film examines the terrible impact of cyberbullying on Taylor and her family, as well as how social media can be used to propagate hatred and create violence.
"Cyberbullying" is rated TV-14, which means it may be inappropriate for children under the age of 14. It contains scenes of bullying, suicide, and other serious issues that younger viewers may find difficult to comprehend.
The film "Cyberbullying" was released on July 17, 2011.
Charles Biname directed the "Cyberbullying" film.
Among the cast members of "Cyberbullying" were Emily Osment as Taylor Hillridge, Kay Panabaker as Samantha Caldone, and Meaghan Rath as Cheyenne Mortenson.