New research reveals that even subtle forms of cyberbullying can deeply traumatize teens—highlighting the urgent need to take every instance seriously.
Key Points at a Glance
- Nearly 90% of teens report experiencing at least one form of cyberbullying.
- All types of cyberbullying—direct or subtle—carry similar trauma risks.
- Cyberbullying explains 32% of the variation in trauma symptoms in teens.
- Girls and younger teens are especially vulnerable to online victimization.
- Experts call for trauma-informed approaches in schools and online spaces.
In an era where teen life unfolds through group chats, likes, and comment threads, a troubling new reality is emerging: digital cruelty—no matter how subtle—can leave lasting psychological scars. A national study led by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has found that nearly 90% of teens have been cyberbullied in some way. More disturbingly, the research shows that it’s not just the most aggressive forms of online harassment that cause trauma—being excluded from a group chat or targeted by rumors can be just as damaging as threats or hate speech.
Published in BMC Public Health, the study analyzed responses from 2,697 students aged 13 to 17 across the United States. The team investigated 18 different types of cyberbullying, from impersonation to online stalking to emotional ostracism, and compared them to trauma symptoms measured by a validated PTSD scale. The findings were clear and unsettling: no single type of bullying stood out as more dangerous—every form was linked to a comparable risk of trauma.
Lead researcher Dr. Sameer Hinduja, a criminology professor and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, emphasized the implications: “Even being left out can be just as traumatizing as being directly threatened.” In fact, exclusion and rejection—often seen as mild—had psychological impacts equivalent to identity-based attacks or physical threats. Gossip, mean comments, and subtle social maneuvering in digital spaces may seem insignificant to adults, but they are internalized by teens as emotional harm.
The study’s findings challenge prevailing beliefs about what kinds of bullying “count” as serious. Too often, schools and parents may overlook less overt acts of online aggression, assuming they’re part of growing up or social friction. But this research flips that narrative: what matters most isn’t the style of bullying, but how much a young person experiences it. The more frequently a student was targeted, the greater their trauma—regardless of age, gender, or background.
Girls and younger teens did report higher trauma symptoms, but once the volume of cyberbullying was considered, those demographic differences became less significant. Trauma, in this case, was a direct function of exposure. In fact, cyberbullying alone accounted for 32% of the variation in trauma scores, suggesting a strong, independent link between online victimization and psychological harm.
This reality is exacerbated by the omnipresence of social media and smartphones. Digital life doesn’t end at the school bell—it follows teens home, into their bedrooms, and even into their dreams. Unlike traditional bullying, there’s no escape. And with over half of students reporting being targeted by cruel rumors or deliberately left out of group conversations, the emotional toll has become almost normalized.
The researchers stress that protective factors—like family support, emotional resilience, and strong peer relationships—are essential in buffering the impact. However, many teens lack access to these safety nets. That’s why Dr. Hinduja calls for a “trauma-informed” approach in every school and youth-centered institution: educators and counselors need training to recognize signs of trauma, understand its digital roots, and respond with empathy and structured interventions. This includes grounding techniques, emotional safety protocols, and mindfulness tools proven to support recovery.
More broadly, this study signals that it’s time to stop ranking types of online abuse and start listening to the lived experiences of young people. Every instance of digital harm carries weight. Every act of exclusion, every whispered rumor on a private story, and every fake profile made for mockery has the potential to unravel a teen’s sense of safety and identity.
To truly protect the next generation, our definitions of harm must evolve alongside the technology they use. Because in the eyes of a teenager navigating a hyperconnected world, being digitally erased can feel just as devastating as being attacked—and the consequences can last a lifetime.
Source: Florida Atlantic University
