News last week that country crooner LeAnn Rimes had entered treatment for anxiety and stress echoed that of another celebrity's distress, several thousand miles away.

One day prior to Rimes' announcement, Australian television personality Charlotte Dawson was hospitalized after a suicide attempt in the early hours of the morning. The host of "Australia's Next Top Model" had spent much of the night retweeting the onslaught of hateful messages on her Twitter account, before signing off "Hope this ends the misery ... You win x." (Dawson would later admit that the "death threats" had "triggered that feeling of helplessness when the trolls got to me. They got the better of me and they won.")

Closer to home, Rimes had been dealing with an undue dose of Internet vitriol. Those following Rimes' story know that fans of Brandi Glanville (the ex-wife of Rimes' husband, Eddie Cibrian) had been particularly harsh on the 30-year-old singer. On August 31, the day after she entered treatment, Rimes let it be known that she would be fighting back. The country star filed a lawsuit against a woman who she alleges illegally tape-recorded their conversation without her consent -- the same woman who has been tweeting "mean and derogatory things about LeAnn for years," according to Rimes' lawyer.

The two incidents are sobering reminders that cyberbullying continues to be a major element of Twitter, and all social media generally. Online expressions of hatred show no signs of subsiding, even towards -- or especially towards -- celebrities, who can often seem untouchable. Stars from Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi to Lady Gaga have spoken out about being victims of cyber hate. That makes them part of the 20 percent of social media users who have been victims of online bullying, according to Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. A further 20 percent of the online population, he says, are offenders.

Harassment on Twitter can quickly go viral in ways other forms of communication cannot, Dr. Hinduja said. "Most people are extremely familiar with texting. It's a one-on-one transaction that takes place. But when you think about using Twitter primarily from your smartphone, there's a misconception in that we're disarmed to think it is just like a text, even though we've got all of these followers who then receive that text message as it's broadcast."

"Celebrities are humans. I think people forget that sometimes," said Courtenay Semel, the daughter of former Yahoo executive Terry Semel. Semel became a familiar face after appearing on the 2005 reality TV show "Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive."

Semel said that Internet hatred contributed to her last stint in rehab. "There was a time in my life when I didn't have the coping mechanisms, and it didn't matter what anyone said. It didn't matter if a friend said to me, 'Well, don't go on your social media,' or 'Imagine what the other person looks like on the other side of the screen.' Why should I not go on my social media for someone else?"

Semel's comments may help explain why so many celebrities continue to use Twitter, even after receiving negative attention. How do they endure it? "You have to build up a tolerance from it. You kind of have to laugh about it, and realize they must be having a bad day. You know, go worry about yourself, why are you worrying about what I'm doing? Why attack someone you don’t know?”

"Kids get the idea that the online environment is almost like Las Vegas -- what happens online is going to stay online," said Deborah Temkin, Research and Policy Coordinator for Bullying Prevention Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education.

With celebrities, the litany of messages, twitpics and other forms of media can also lend an unrealistic sense of familiarity, Temkin explained. "With people tweeting about more personal things than you would get in even tabloid news, it does to some extent invite people more into their personal lives, and may drive a little bit more of that connection, of feeling that you know them, of feeling you can talk badly about them."

While former Disney stars Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus have actively campaigned to end cyberbullying, neither has quit using Twitter. Instead, Cyrus is turning the responsibility back onto the platform itself. "I won’t tolerate someone telling me 2 die. I think Twitter needs to take some responsibility and make it a safe environment!" the 19-year-old Cyrus wrote.

But if Twitter is contemplating significant changes with regards to cyberbullying, the company is remaining tight-lipped about them. When asked by The Huffington Post about the cyberbullying that takes place on its platform, a spokesperson for Twitter directed us to a section of its support pages that said, "As a policy, we do not mediate content, including potentially offensive content." When asked whether the company considered it their responsibility to police user harassment, in much the same way the company verifies accounts, the Twitter spokesperson again directed HuffPost to a section in the policy and declined to elaborate further: "If the account is in violation of our policies, we will take action, ranging from warning the user up to permanently suspending the account."

In the meantime, there are immediate solutions to try to stop cyberbullying from happening to you. According to Temkin, one should keep two main things in mind. "Don't respond. A lot of the times, whether in life or online, the reason why the kid is bullying is they're looking for a response," she said.

And the other? "Keep a record. One of the unique things about cyberbullying is that there's a readymade record.”

Celebrity Photos Of The Week:

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  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Halle Berry and fiance Olivier Martinez were seen leaving Whole Foods after buying a cart full of groceries in West Hollywood, Calif., on May 20.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Marion Cotillard posed on the red carpet for the screening of the film "Blood Ties" at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 20.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Jennifer Lopez looked amazing at the Billboard Music Awards held at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 19.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Miley Cyrus wowed at the Billboard Music Awards held at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 19.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were spotted holding hands in London on May 19.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan attended the "Inside Llewyn Davis" photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France on May 19.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Camila Alves-McConaughey and Ramshackle Glam's Jordan Reid co-hosted INC's Macy's Fashion Show in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 18.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Keith Urban strolled through LAX Airport with his daughter Sunday Rose in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 17.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Dianna Agron and a female friend were seen out and about in SoHo, New York City on May 17.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Isla Fisher attended the Opening Ceremony and premiere of "The Great Gatsby" during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 15 in Cannes, France.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Emma Stone stepped out in New York City on May 15 looking adorable as always.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Baz Luhrmann posed together at "The Great Gatsby" photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival on May 15.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    A very pregnant Penelope Cruz and her brother Eduardo visited their sister Monica at the hospital after she gave birth to a baby girl on May 14 in Madrid, Spain.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Zoe Saldana looked incredible at the "Star Trek Into Darkness" premiere held at The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on May 14.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Nicole Kidman arrived at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, France to attend a photocall of the Jury on the eve of the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 14.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Katie Holmes was spotted on the set of "Mania Days" in New York City on May 14.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Emma Watson arrived on a flight at the Nice Airport on May 14 to attend the upcoming 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival in France.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Lea Michele attended the FOX 2013 Programming Presentation Post-Party at Wollman Rink Central Park in New York City on May 13.

  • Celebrity News: May 2013

    Angelina Jolie revealed that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/angelina-jolie-double-mastectomy_n_3271514.html?utm_hp_ref=celebrity" target="_blank">she had a double mastectomy</a> after discovering she carried a cancer gene on May 14.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Owl City's Adam Young took a snack break while helping launch the new OREO cookie "Wonderfilled" campaign in NYC on May 14.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Alyson Hannigan was spotted leaving the AOL office after visiting The Huffington Post in New York City on May 13.

  • Celebrity News: May 2013

    Angie Everhart <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/angie-everhart-cancer-diagnosis_n_3267500.html" target="_blank">confirmed that she's been diagnosed</a> with thyroid cancer.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Selma Blair was seen enjoying her Mother's Day with her son, Arthur Bleick at the beach in Malibu, Calif., on May 12.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux took a stroll after shopping at Barney's and dining at Fred's Restraunt in New York City on May 12.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Sienna Miller attended the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on May 12 in London.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Reese Witherspoon flaunted her legs in short shorts while watching her son's football game in Brentwood, Calif., on May 11.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Selena Gomez was spotted spending some time at the pool in Miami, Fla., on May 11.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Halle Berry flaunted her baby bump at the 20th Annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 11.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Liv Tyler took a walk with a male friend around West Village in New York City on May 10.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Stephen Amell hosted the F*ck Cancer event on May 9 at Bootsy Bellows in Los Angeles, Calif.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Pregnant actress Jenna Dewan headed out of her home in London on May 9.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Kerry Washington stopped by "Extra" at The Grove in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 8.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Bradley Cooper went incognito as he headed to the set of "American Hustle" on May 8 in Boston.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Ryan Reynolds was spotted walking his dog Baxter while sporting the new Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Wristband in Bedford, NY on May 7.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Olivia Wilde was spotted rocking Carrera shades at Carrera Ignition Night in New York City on May 7.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart held hands while leaving their hotel in New York City on May 7. Check out J.Lo's tight leather pants!

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Blake Lively rocked thigh-high boots and a little black dress for a photo shoot in New York CIty on May 7.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Jennifer Lawrence and Sarah Jessica Parker share a laugh while attending the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Beyonce looked amazing at the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Kristen Stewart wowed in a jumpsuit at the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Nina Dobrev dazzled at the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale attended the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala at the MET Museum in New York City on May 6.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Jessica Biel flashed her bra while she was out with her dogs for a walk on May 6 in New York City.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Brooke Burke-Charvet and her son enjoyed Wendy`s new Frosty Waffle Cones in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 6.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West held hands on May 5 before heading to dinner in New York City.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger were seen walking together in SOHO in New York City on May 5.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Josh Hartnett was snapped catching a cab in New York City on May 5.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    The crowd watched as Paris Hilton and her boyfriend River Viiperi shared a sweet kiss at the Pool After Dark at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City on May 4.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Orlando Bloom had his hands full during an afternoon outing in Beverly Hills, Calif., with 2-year-old son Flynn on My 4.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    Keith Urban carried 2-year-old daughter Faith while 4½-year-old Sunday Rose stuck close to mom Nicole Kidman as the family ventured out in Hollywood on May 4.

  • Celebrity Photos: May 2013

    LeAnn Rimes sported short shorts as she shopped in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 3.