Cyberbullying through the lens of trauma: an empirical examination of US youth

BACKGROUND: Scholars have argued that cyberbullying should be characterized as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) given its potential for traumatic impacts on youth development. Considering the current attention surrounding mental health and well-being among adolescents, it seems critical to empirically measure this relationship, and also determine if some types have a stronger negative influence. METHODS: Data utilized in this study were derived from a survey conducted on a nationally-representative sample in 2023 involving 2,697 English-speaking middle and high school students aged 13 to 17 residing within the United States. RESULTS: We identified a strong positive relationship between PTSD symptoms and experience with cyberbullying. Surprisingly, exclusion and rejection were just as harmful as overt threats when it comes to inducing trauma. Gossip and malicious comments were as detrimental as targeting someone based on their identity. CONCLUSION: By becoming more trauma-informed and implementing school-based specific measures, those who work with youth can better safeguard and support them in the face of cyberbullying.