Munchausen syndrome in the digital age

By Business Fher

Thanks to unexpected plot twists in movies like Run or series like The Act, many of us have heard of Munchausen syndrome. Although its origin is still unknown, this condition is considered a form of child abuse: the caregiver (in most cases, the mother) invents false symptoms or even induces real ones to make it appear as if their child is ill. This pattern creates a physical, psychological, and emotional dependency, as the child constantly needs the care of their abuser. At a social level, the perpetrator is often perceived as an example of strength and sacrifice, which sometimes translates into community recognition and even financial assistance.

In recent years, however, a new variant has been identified: the so-called “digital Munchausen.” Experts such as psychiatrist Marc Feldman and psychiatrist Janet Cah have described this disorder as a real possibility, although part of the medical community still debates its validity, pointing out that in some cases it could be more of a notoriety-seeking strategy by influencers or bloggers. However, recent events have reinforced this emerging diagnosis. The Netflix documentary *Unknown Number: A School Cyberbullying Scandal* revealed a shocking case that made headlines worldwide.

The protagonist of this story is Kenda Licari, a seemingly exemplary mother from Beal City, Ohio. For several years, she harassed her own daughter, Lauryn, just 13 years old, with hundreds of messages a day sent from unknown numbers. The texts included sexual descriptions of the girl’s boyfriend, cruel criticisms of her body, and explicit references to suicide. Although she never identified herself as the mother, a lengthy police investigation, which even involved the FBI, uncovered the truth: she was the one behind it all.

Unknown Number: A School Cyberbullying Scandal

The case is not simply the story of a mother who secretly tormented her daughter. People close to Kenda described her as a pathological liar, obsessed with controlling the lives of those around her and with vying for attention. In 2020, when she lost her job and financial stability, she hid this from her family, and according to various sources, this was the trigger for the cyberbullying, which affected not only Lauryn but also the teenager’s boyfriend and other classmates.

Although at first glance this episode doesn’t seem linked to Munchausen syndrome, the similarities are evident. Instead of inventing physical illnesses, Kenda created an environment of psychological persecution that forced her daughter to seek refuge in her. The pattern is the same: the deliberate creation of harm in order to ensure emotional dependence. The cost, however, was devastating. Lauryn ended her romantic relationship, lost her self-confidence, developed paranoia, and, with phrases like “You fucking bitch, you should die,” was on the verge of suicide.

Lauryn’s testimony gives a sense of the impact: receiving more than 40 messages a day that question your worth, insult your body, suggest infidelity, or even announce your real-time location is enough to destroy any teenager’s self-esteem. The most painful paradox is that, after each day of harassment, the only source of comfort was precisely the one responsible for her suffering: her mother.

Although in this case there were no medications, injections, or induced seizures, the damage was as profound as in classic Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The constant cyberbullying produced serious psychological consequences that persist even after Kenda was sentenced to prison. Lauryn, despite acknowledging the abuse, maintained contact with her mother, trapped in the emotional dependency that this type of violence creates.

This case invites us to reflect on the transformation of abuse dynamics in the digital age. Today, children and adolescents turn to technology to socialize, resolve personal doubts, or seek emotional support. Artificial intelligence, social media, and digital platforms often replace the guidance of parents or teachers. This opens the door to new forms of violence that don’t necessarily require physical contact but are equally, or even more, harmful.

The question is unavoidable: will restricting internet access be enough to prevent these scenarios, or does the problem lie in an increasingly emotionally disconnected society, capable of inflicting pain from a distance? The Licari case reminds us that technology, while a powerful tool for connection and progress, can also become a devastating weapon when used to manipulate and control.

Digital Munchausen syndrome may be just the tip of the iceberg of psychological disorders that are adapting to our times. In a world where the boundaries between the real and the virtual are blurring, perhaps the greatest challenge is not controlling screens, but recovering lost empathy.