Summary: A new national study shows that all forms of cyberbullying—not only direct threats—can produce trauma in adolescents. The research indicates even subtle behaviors such as exclusion from group chats, online gossip or rumors can trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms as severe as overt harassment, suggesting cyberbullying should be treated as a serious adverse childhood experience (ACE).
Analyzing responses from a nationally representative sample of 2,697 U.S. middle and high school students, researchers found 87% had experienced at least one form of online victimization. Trauma increased with the frequency of cyberbullying: the more often youth were targeted, the greater their PTSD symptom levels. While girls and younger teens showed higher average symptoms, the strongest predictor of trauma was the overall volume of cyberbullying rather than demographic characteristics alone.
Key facts:
- Trauma across types: All categories of cyberbullying showed a similar association with PTSD symptoms.
- Very common: 87% of surveyed teens reported experiencing at least one of 18 forms of online victimization.
- Frequency matters: Repeated or ongoing cyberbullying strongly predicted higher trauma levels.
Source: FAU
As concern grows over adolescent mental health, this national study reinforces the view that cyberbullying can be an adverse childhood experience with measurable emotional, psychological and physical implications. Contrary to assumptions that only extreme or identity-based attacks produce serious harm, the findings reveal that indirect and less visible behaviors can be equally damaging.
Cyberbullying is a growing concern in the digital age, as social media and online communication increase the opportunities for peers to harm one another. With more than 30% of students worldwide experiencing bullying, the digital dimension of peer aggression has become a major risk factor for youth mental health.
The study was led by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. It examined 18 specific types of online victimization—ranging from exclusion (being left out of a chat) and impersonation (fake social accounts) to stalking behaviors (being monitored after asking the harasser to stop)—and measured their relationship with a validated nine-item PTSD symptom scale.
Researchers also evaluated demographic differences, considering age, sex and socioeconomic background to identify which groups of adolescents may be more vulnerable. The results, published in BMC Public Health, show that almost every form of online mistreatment was linked to trauma symptoms.
Surprisingly, exclusion, rejection and rumor-spreading were as likely to produce traumatic effects as explicit threats or harassment based on identity. Mean comments, gossip and deliberate exclusion produced emotional harm comparable to more overt forms of targeting.
“Our findings show that cyberbullying in any form—whether exclusion from a group chat or direct threats—can lead to significant trauma in youth,” said Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., lead author and professor in FAU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “No single type of cyberbullying proved to be uniquely more damaging than others. That means educators, parents and peers must take all forms of online harm seriously.”
The study emphasizes that the lived experience of each youth matters: the same behavior can affect two young people very differently depending on personal context, resilience and the availability of support from adults, schools and friends. Indirect forms of online harassment were the most common: over half of respondents reported mean comments or rumors, and a similar share reported deliberate exclusion from chats or texts.
Demographic patterns showed girls and younger teens tended to report higher PTSD symptoms, but these differences diminished once researchers accounted for the total amount of cyberbullying exposure. “What mattered most was how often a student was targeted,” Hinduja noted. “Cyberbullying frequency alone accounted for a significant portion of the variation in trauma—about 32%—among students.”
The authors call for more research into protective factors that could reduce harm, such as supportive family relationships, close friendships and emotional resilience, and emphasize the need for trauma-informed responses in schools. Understanding whether trauma from cyberbullying dissipates with time or persists into adulthood remains a key question.
“To protect young people effectively, we must adopt trauma-informed strategies that prioritize emotional safety, include crisis intervention protocols, and train educators and counselors to identify and respond to signs of trauma,” Hinduja added. “Creating environments where even subtle forms of bullying are taken seriously will help safeguard student well-being.”
Co-author Justin Patchin, Ph.D., is a professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.
About this cyberbullying and PTSD research news
Author: Gisele Galoustian
Source: FAU
Contact: Gisele Galoustian – FAU
Image credit: Neuroscience News
Original research (open access): “Cyberbullying through the lens of trauma: an empirical examination of US youth” by Sameer Hinduja et al., published in BMC Public Health.
Abstract
Cyberbullying through the lens of trauma: an empirical examination of US youth
Background
Scholars have argued cyberbullying should be classified as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) because of its potential to produce lasting traumatic impacts on development. Given growing concern about adolescent mental health, it is important to measure this relationship and determine whether certain types of online harm are more damaging.
Methods
This study uses data from a nationally representative 2023 survey of 2,697 English-speaking U.S. students aged 13 to 17. Participants reported experiences with a range of online victimization types and completed a validated PTSD symptom measure.
Results
The analysis found a robust positive association between cyberbullying exposure and PTSD symptoms. Indirect behaviors such as exclusion, gossip and hurtful comments were as strongly linked to trauma as overt threats and identity-based harassment.
Conclusion
Becoming more trauma-informed and implementing targeted school-based prevention and intervention measures can better protect youth from the psychological harms of cyberbullying. Recognizing and addressing all forms of online mistreatment—subtle or overt—are essential steps toward safeguarding adolescent mental health.