When Trust Is Broken - Netflix's Unknown Number: The High School Catfish
Netflix's Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is captivating, shocking and utterly heartbreaking — the kind of story you can't stop thinking about even when you're getting ready for bed. The story starts with something all too familiar... the isolating and invasive pain of online bullying 💻.
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If you haven't seen the documentary, teenagers Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny are bombarded with relentlessly cruel messages from unknown numbers, but the harassment doesn't stop at school. It follows them into every private corner of their lives. As the story unfolds, the truth is waaaaaay darker because the harassment isn't the work of strangers or classmates. Tragically (spoiler alert!), it's orchestrated by... A PARENT!!
Lauryn's mum, Kendra Licari — someone who should have been a source of love and safety, is revealed to be the mastermind behind the years of relentless emotional torment. What we end up seeing is a disturbing glimpse into a parent who uses manipulation and control to maintain total dominance over her child.
Kendra engineers every element of her daughter's life so that Lauryn feels completely dependent on her, creating a reminiscent of Munchausen by Proxy (a form of child abuse where the caretaker deliberately causes or fabricates distress in someone under their care to gain attention, sympathy or control), where care and attention are intertwined with harm and abuse.
[Kendra Licari]
What makes this story even more gut-wrenching is the lasting emotional toll it leaves on Lauryn.
Lauryn develops a complex attachment to her mum — a form of Stockholm syndrome. This is when someone who’s been abused or held captive begins to develop loyalty, affection, or dependence on their abuser. Fear, loyalty and love get all tangled up, making it almost impossible to clearly separate safety from danger.
In Lauryn's case, the years of control, manipulation and emotional abuse means that even after her mum goes to prison, she still desires a close relationship with her. It's a horrible example of how abuse can warp trust and love, making it hard for survivors to separate care from cruelty 💔.
Even though this documentary is undeniably disturbing and makes the world feel overwhelmingly untrusting, it serves as a reminder as to why support, honesty and safe spaces are essential to have in our lives. Parents and caretakers need to create environments where vulnerability and openness are met with care, compassion and trust — not manipulation! Small things like listening without judgement, acknowledging feelings or the simple act of being present can make a life changing difference.
At Cottons, we believe in standing alongside women and being a source of support when they need it most. Stories like Lauryn's remind us how important it is to advocate for safety, honesty and compassion, not just online or at home, but in every space where women need to feel seen, heard and empowered 💞.
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For anyone experiencing bullying, harassment or emotional abuse, help is available with services like Kids Helpline 📞 1800 55 1800, the eSafety Commissioner, Lifeline 📞 13 11 14 and more.
