Netflix’s “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish” Ignites Online Debate

Lead: Netflix’s true-crime documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish uncovers how a Michigan teen’s own mother stalked her via abusive texts, shocking viewers worldwide on September 12, 2025.

Nut Graf: The film’s release has sparked urgent discussions about cyberbullying, parental boundaries and mental health, as audiences grapple with how trust can be weaponized within families.

Shocking Premise and Twist

“Unknown Number” follows 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her boyfriend, Owen McKenny, who endured two years of relentless, threatening messages from an anonymous number. Investigators eventually link the harassment to Lauryn’s mother, Kendra Licari, exposing a case of maternal betrayal that defies expectations.

  • Kendra Licari pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor and obstruction of justice, serving 19 months in prison before her release in August 2024.
  • The documentary examines Kendra’s claimed motives-past trauma and a misguided desire to “protect” her daughter-while experts warn of Munchausen-by-proxy-like behaviors.

Community Impact and Teen Voices

Beal City schools fractured as suspicion fell on classmates, straining friendships and revealing the emotional toll of false accusations. Interviews with Lauryn, Owen and peers highlight the maturity young victims must summon when authority figures fail them.

Broader Conversation on Cyberbullying

Experts and viewers alike emphasize that while this case is extreme, millions of children face daily online harassment. The film urges parents to maintain open dialogue about technology’s risks and to take children’s concerns seriously, rather than dismissing them as pranks or teenage drama.

What’s Next?

As Unknown Number trends on Netflix’s Top 10, educators and mental-health professionals are planning panel discussions and school workshops. The documentary’s producers hope it serves as a catalyst for policy changes in how schools and law enforcement handle cyberbullying reports.