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Any type of cyberbullying, not merely the overt or extreme, is enough to cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in teens. A recent national study has uncovered an alarming reality regarding teen mental health.
As increasing amounts of adolescents' lives are lived online, experts caution that even slight tactics of digital abuse, such as exclusion or gossiping, can be emotionally shattering. The research, compiled by Florida Atlantic University in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, indicates that cyberbullying is worthy of status as an adverse childhood experience (ACE), a known category of trauma with lasting mental health impacts.
All Forms of Cyberbullying Carry Emotional Weight
Most individuals believe that severe psychological damage can only be inflicted by threats or identity-based abuse. But the research, which questioned 2,697 U.S. students aged 13-17, presents a more nuanced landscape. From exclusion from group chats to having impostor accounts opened in their name, students experienced everything in between, all with equally significant emotional impact.
Lead researcher Dr. Sameer Hinduja emphasized: As our research clearly shows, cyberbullying in any form – whether it's exclusion from a group chat or direct threats – can lead to significant trauma in youth. We were surprised to find that no single type of cyberbullying caused more harm than others; all carried a similar risk of traumatic outcomes. This means we can't afford to dismiss or trivialize certain behaviors as 'less serious' – being left out or targeted by rumors can be just as detrimental as more overt attacks."
Indeed, indirect cyberbullying, like minor remarks or being left on purpose, was more prevalent compared to overt threats. Almost 9 out of 10 students had faced some form of online abuse, demonstrating just how ubiquitous and normalised digital violence has become.
Trauma Tied Directly to Cyberbullying Frequency
Although age and gender contributed to the experience of trauma in some way, the most significant factor was the frequency with which they were being bullied. Girls and younger adolescents initially presented with higher levels of distress, but once researchers controlled for the frequency of bullying, those differences within those demographics dwindled.
Cyberbullying by itself explained 32% of the variation in symptoms of PTSD, a whopping number that highlights the severity of internet victimization.
What mattered most was the overall amount of cyberbullying: the more often a student was targeted, the more trauma symptoms they showed. In fact, cyberbullying alone accounted for a significant portion – 32% – of the differences in trauma levels among students
Dr. Sameer Hinduja, Lead researcher, Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Among the various types of online harassment, indirect forms are the most prevalent. More than half of the surveyed students reported being targeted by mean or hurtful comments or rumors, and a similar number indicated that they were deliberately excluded from group chats or text messages. Notably, nearly 9 out of 10 students (87%) experienced at least one of the 18 forms of victimization surveyed. This highlights the growing prevalence of digital aggression and its normative presence in the interactions of young people online.
Building Safe Online Environments for Adolescents
The research demands a change in how we approach online bullying. Instead of prioritizing the most severe instances, the study is calling on teachers, parents, and policymakers to take all cyberbullying seriously, even the more "invisible" types.
Dr. Hinduja promotes a trauma-informed model that encompasses:
Teachers are trained to identify indicators of distress
Emotional regulation strategies and grounding techniques
Robust school-based crisis response plans
Conducive environments in which children are noticed and supported.
Looking Ahead: The Need for More Support Systems
The research also identifies the necessity for further study of protective factors, including emotional resilience, positive friendships, and family support. These could mitigate the psychological harm of digital bullying.
Co-author Justin Patchin, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center and a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire professor, emphasized that each child's experience must be taken seriously:
"To truly protect young people, we must take a trauma-informed approach, one that prioritizes emotional and psychological safety, incorporates grounding techniques, and includes strong crisis intervention plans," said Hinduja. "This requires training educators, counselors and youth-serving adults to recognize signs of trauma, understand its root causes, and respond with empathy, emotional safety protocols and scientifically proven mindfulness interventions. Equally important is creating safe environments where students feel supported and seen, and where even subtle forms of bullying are taken seriously given the potentially serious outcomes that compromise youth well-being."
Reference:
Hinduja, Sameer, and Justin W. Patchin. "Cyberbullying through the Lens of Trauma: An Empirical Examination of US Youth." BMC Public Health 25, no. 1709 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22692-6.
News-Medical.net. "Study Links All Types of Cyberbullying to PTSD in Teens." News-Medical.net, May 15, 2025. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250515/Study-links-all-types-of-cyberbullying-to-PTSD-in-teens.aspx.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)
