Mikayla Raines was more than a content creator — she was a passionate animal rights advocate, best known for founding SaveAFox, a rescue organization devoted to saving captive-bred foxes. Her educational YouTube channel, which drew in millions of views, taught compassion for misunderstood animals and gave people around the world a chance to connect with her mission.
But behind the heartwarming videos and smiles, Mikayla was privately enduring a relentless onslaught of cyberbullying on social media platforms.
According to People, her husband revealed that online bullying played a major role in her mental health struggles, leading up to her tragic death by suicide in June 2024. Bring Me the News and US Magazine confirm the heartbreaking details that have sent shockwaves across her fan base and the mental health community.
Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital platforms — including social media, YouTube, forums, and messaging apps — to harass, threaten, or demean individuals. Unlike traditional bullying, online bullying is often anonymous, persistent, and difficult to escape.
You can explore more about what is cyberbullying and the different types of bullying.
Mikayla Raines’ story illustrates how cyberbullying can target even those who appear to be strong, successful, and deeply loved. The public nature of her work made her an easy target for negative commentary, misinformation, and digital hate campaigns.
The effects of bullying, especially cyberbullying, extend far beyond the screen. Victims often experience:
When someone is attacked online repeatedly and without reprieve, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. We must recognize that the digital space is real life, and the pain it can inflict is just as severe as any form of verbal bullying or physical abuse.
Social media can amplify harassment at a terrifying scale. For content creators like Mikayla Raines, every video upload or comment section became a potential battlefield. Trolls, misinformation, and coordinated smear efforts often go unchecked.
The cyberbullying on social media that Mikayla experienced wasn’t just criticism — it was targeted, ongoing, and vicious. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram have mechanisms to report abuse, but those systems are often slow, ineffective, or misused.
We must urge social media companies to prioritize anti bullying protocols, improve reporting tools, and implement stricter moderation policies. Victims like Mikayla should not have to suffer in silence while platforms profit from engagement — even when that engagement is harmful.
Effective bullying prevention starts with education and intervention. Whether it’s in schools, workplaces, or digital communities, we need to address the root causes of bullying and empower bystanders to speak up.
Here are practical steps to help:
You can find anti bullying resources here or read more about the different forms of bullying, such as verbal bullying, social bullying, and digital bullying.
Mikayla Raines should be remembered not for how she died, but for how she lived — with empathy, resilience, and a deep love for life. But her death must not be in vain. Her story is a sobering reminder that online bullying can destroy even the brightest lights.
Let this moment fuel a movement — to stop bullying, support one another, and create safe digital spaces for all.
We encourage you to take action today:
No one should have to suffer alone. If you or someone you love is facing cyberbullying or any form of abuse, there is help available:
Look for signs like withdrawal, mood changes, avoiding devices, changes in sleeping/eating patterns, or deleting social accounts. If you notice these signs, open a safe, compassionate conversation.
Cyberbullying laws vary by state and country. In many cases, harassment, threats, and stalking online can be prosecuted. Report abuse to both the platform and local authorities when needed.
Set boundaries around digital use, use privacy settings, block/report bullies, and encourage open communication. Education is key to prevention and resilience.
Let them know they’re not alone. Encourage them to save evidence, report the abuse, and connect with support services. Your support can make a life-saving difference.
We’re building the Echo Movement with the same bold energy you see in the world’s most forward-thinking platforms.
On September 10, 2025, America saw two school shootings in one day — one at Utah Valley University and another at Evergreen High School in Colorado. As Colorado relives the trauma of Columbine nearly three decades later, we must confront how bullying, trauma, and silence fuel cycles of violence that continue to devastate our schools.
On August 27, 2025, tragedy struck Minneapolis when a shooter opened fire during a school Mass at the Church of the Annunciation. Two children were killed, 18 others were injured, and countless lives were shattered. This was the 44th school shooting in the U.S. in 2025—a devastating reminder that our children are growing up in a world where violence echoes through classrooms, churches, and communities.
On June 4, 2024, 15-year-old Brandon Hatchell, a freshman at Darlington High School in South Carolina, was found dead in his home. His death has been ruled a suicide, and his family is now taking legal action against the Darlington County School District, alleging that ongoing bullying and negligence by school officials contributed directly to his death. The lawsuit claims that repeated reports of harassment were ignored, leaving Brandon feeling hopeless and unprotected.