Cyberbullying Now Recognized as a Notable Childhood Trauma, New Study Finds
By Dr. Michael Lee, World-Today-News.com – October 26, 2023
As concerns surrounding adolescent mental health reach a critical point, groundbreaking new research confirms what many parents adn educators have long suspected: cyberbullying is a deeply damaging experience that should be classified as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). ACEs are known to have lasting, negative impacts on emotional, psychological, and even physical health.
The study, published recently in BMC Public Health, challenges the common assumption that only overt forms of online harassment – threats, hate speech, or identity theft - inflict serious harm. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire found that even seemingly “minor” forms of cyberbullying, like social exclusion or the spread of rumors, can be profoundly traumatic for young people.
“We were surprised to find that no single type of cyberbullying caused more harm than others; all carried a similar risk of traumatic outcomes,” explains Dr. Sameer Hinduja, lead author of the study and professor at Florida Atlantic University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “Being left out or targeted by rumors can be just as detrimental as more overt attacks.”
A Nationally Representative Study
the research team analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 2,697 middle and high school students (ages 13-17) across the United States. They examined the correlation between 18 different types of cyberbullying – ranging from impersonation and stalking to purposeful exclusion from online groups – and symptoms consistent with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The findings are stark. A staggering 87% of students reported experiencing at least one form of cyberbullying. Furthermore, the study revealed a strong link between cyberbullying and clinically significant trauma symptoms, as measured by a validated PTSD scale. Indirect forms of harassment, such as hurtful
