Lewis Hamilton recently revealed the lasting emotional effects of bullying he endured as a child, speaking out in a video posted on social media that addresses the growing concerns around bullying today. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion highlighted how bullying has evolved and become harder to escape, especially with the rise of cyberbullying in modern times.
At 40 years old, Hamilton, now racing for Scuderia Ferrari, reflected on his personal experiences and stressed the urgent need to confront the issue. In the video shared by cybersecurity company Bitdefender, he explained that unlike in his youth, when bullying was confined mostly to physical spaces like school, children today face relentless harassment online, which follows them home and invades what should be a safe environment.
“For sure, and I think everyone’s dealing with it. I think I really worry more so for kids that are getting onto social media really early, because when we were kids — or when I was a kid — there was no social media.
“So the bullying might be at school, but when you go home you’re in a safe space, and it’s not till the next day you go back and you’re confronted with it. But as we’re here, it’s almost impossible for kids to escape it, for people to escape it, and I’ve got friends with kids that are having bullying issues. I was bullied as a kid and it’s horrible, and it’s crazy that there is so much negativity still out there.” — Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 driver
Throughout his career, Hamilton has used his platform to advocate for social causes, including battling racism, promoting diversity, and supporting mental health awareness. His activism extends into initiatives such as Mission 44, a campaign focused on addressing bullying and other societal problems through education and community programs.
Hamilton advocates for protecting children from cyberbullying
Further discussing the serious problem of cyberbullying, Lewis Hamilton urged individuals to actively defend themselves against the harmful effects of online abuse. Partnering with Bitdefender, he emphasized the need for protective measures to shield young people from persistent negativity on digital platforms.
He stressed that mental resilience can be fortified by deciding not to let bullying define one’s self-worth and encouraging the use of tools that block and filter harmful content.
“But ultimately, it’s a decision — there are barriers, safety mechanisms and systems you can put in place. You can protect yourself from these things by finding ways to block them and not allowing them to penetrate what you’re doing, your mental state, and not let those things define you,” he said.
Lewis Hamilton’s commitment to combating bullying aligns with his efforts inside and outside of motorsport, including campaigns championed with Scuderia Ferrari to raise awareness about mental health challenges affecting fans and youth. Recently, he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his Mission 44 initiative. The discussion focused on reforming education to be more inclusive, especially through expanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects to empower the next generation of children.
As bullying continues to harm young lives worldwide, Hamilton’s outspoken stance serves to shine a spotlight on these issues, urging stronger community support and systemic change. His efforts highlight the urgent need for both protective measures and cultural shifts to address the evolving nature of bullying in an increasingly digital world.