The story of Lauryn Licari exposes the dark side of the digital world
By Johanna Elattar
For Michigan teen Lauryn Licari and her boyfriend, a single ping on their phones marked the start of a nightmare. What followed were thousands of threatening and vulgar texts over several years from an “unknown number.” At first, they assumed it was a classmate pulling a prank. Netflix’s new documentary, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, reveals the jaw-dropping truth: the sender wasn’t a stranger—or even a peer—but Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari.
The story shocks, yes, but it also highlights a truth that many teens and parents are coming to grips with: the digital world can turn ordinary life into a psychological battlefield. For Lauryn, what started as mysterious harassment became a constant, inescapable presence. There were no safe spaces—her phone, the device meant to connect her to friends and family, became a tool of fear. Privacy, once assumed, disappeared in the blink of a notification.
The Netflix documentary dives deep into the harrowing details. Police initially suspected classmates, but Kendra’s clever use of technology—a phone app that constantly changed her number—kept investigators off track. The FBI eventually traced the texts back to her, revealing a disturbing motive: Kendra wanted to keep her daughter close, influenced by her own traumatic childhood experiences. In 2023, she pled guilty to two counts of stalking a minor and was sentenced to 19 months in prison.
While the story is extreme, it’s far from unique in the digital era. Teens today face a constant, almost overwhelming presence of technology in their social lives. Apps, social media, and messaging platforms have blurred the lines between online and offline harassment. A simple text, DM, or Snapchat can escalate quickly, leaving victims feeling trapped in their own devices. Studies suggest that over 60% of teenagers experience some form of cyberbullying, ranging from mean texts to identity deception and online shaming. In Lauryn’s case, the perpetrator was not only relentless but also someone she should have been able to trust completely—a chilling reminder of how complex these situations can be.
Unknown Number doesn’t just deliver shock value. It raises questions about parenting, control, and boundaries in the digital age. Kendra’s actions were driven by love, trauma, and possibly psychological issues, but the method—years of harassment through technology—was harmful and controlling. For teens, it’s a story about how trust, safety, and personal boundaries can be tested in ways previous generations never had to consider.
The documentary also shows how modern teens must navigate identity and social connection online. Social media is central to friendships, self-expression, and even romantic relationships. But that same connectivity makes them vulnerable to manipulation, peer pressure, and harassment. Lauryn and her boyfriend’s experience exemplifies the worst-case scenario: the people closest to you—or who you think are trustworthy—can exploit that access.
Since the events, Lauryn has moved forward with her life. Now 18, she is studying criminology, focusing on understanding crime and its consequences—a path likely influenced by the harrowing experience she endured. Kendra was released from prison in 2024 and is on parole until 2026, but according to the documentary, she has had no contact with her daughter. Lauryn’s father has full custody, providing a stable foundation for her as she navigates adulthood.
Netflix’s doc also serves as a cautionary tale for parents. Many adults underestimate the complexity of teen digital life. Messages, apps, and notifications may seem harmless, but in the wrong hands—or with the wrong intentions—they can become powerful tools for psychological manipulation. Teenagers often lack the skills to protect themselves fully, and adults are not always aware of the digital undercurrents in their children’s lives.
And the lessons go beyond parental oversight. Teens themselves must learn to navigate a world where privacy is fragile, trust is complicated, and social media can amplify even the smallest conflict into something relentless and inescapable. Unknown Number is a reminder that the digital world is thrilling and social, but it also carries dangers that previous generations never faced.
For viewers, the documentary delivers fast-paced, suspenseful drama, but its lessons linger: technology can magnify family drama, friendships can be tested by online anonymity, and the people we trust most can sometimes be the source of harm. Lauryn’s story is a wake-up call—a vivid illustration that in the digital age, a single text can carry far more weight than a thousand face-to-face words.
Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or just a fan of jaw-dropping true stories, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is a must-watch. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll think twice the next time an unknown number pops up on your phone.
Johanna Elattar is a journalist and author whose work bridges personal narrative and investigative insight. Based in Hornell, NY, she writes for the Hornell Sun and Wellsville Sun, covering local stories, social justice, and national issues. Her reporting has been recognized internationally, her work is featured in the forthcoming 4th edition of Race & Racisms (Oxford University Press, 2026). Beyond journalism, Johanna is the author of the upcoming novella Hollow Echo and regularly explores complex topics with honesty, clarity, and depth, giving voice to overlooked communities and nuanced stories. You can reach her anytime, americangrrl70@gmail.com
