Cyberbullying should be categorized as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) ie traumatic events in childhood that have can have long-term physical, emotional, and psychological harm, a study has said.
This research comes at a time of growing concern over adolescent mental health, particularly in an increasingly digital world.
The study involved a nationally representative sample of 2,697 middle and high school students in the United States, aged 13 to 17. Alarmingly, 87% of participants reported experiencing at least one form of cyberbullying, revealing just how widespread digital aggression has become. These findings reveal that online harassment is not an isolated problem but a nearly universal part of young people바카라s online experiences.
The study noted that not Just overt threats even indirect bullying Is equally harmful.
While it바카라s commonly believed that only severe forms of cyberbullying 바카라 like threats or identity-based attacks 바카라 are psychologically damaging, the study found otherwise. Even subtle and indirect behaviours such as exclusion from group chats, impersonation, or spreading rumours were shown to cause levels of trauma comparable to more direct threats. For instance, being the target of gossip or cruel online comments was as emotionally harmful as being attacked for one's race or religion.
Using a validated nine-item clinical scale, the research assessed how these 18 forms of cyberbullying relate to symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The results showed a strong correlation, indicating that cyberbullying, in any form, can significantly contribute to trauma. Even exclusion or social rejection 바카라 often dismissed as 바카라minor바카라 바카라 had a deep psychological toll.
The study also explored how trauma responses varied by age, sex, and socioeconomic background. Girls and younger teens showed higher trauma symptoms, but when the researchers accounted for the amount of cyberbullying experienced, these differences became less significant. This suggested that exposure to cyberbullying itself 바카라 not demographic factors 바카라 is the key driver of psychological harm.
One of the most striking findings was that cyberbullying alone accounted for staggering 32% of the variation in trauma levels among students. This highlights just how serious and impactful online victimization can be. The frequency and consistency of bullying had a greater impact than the type of bullying experienced.
Lead author Dr. Sameer Hinduja stressed the need for a trauma-informed approach in schools and youth services. He has also called for educators, counselors, and other adults to be trained in recognizing signs of trauma, understanding the root causes, and responding with empathy and emotional safety. Proven interventions like strong family support, close friendships and emotional resilience, which may buffer against the negative effects of interpersonal victimization in online spaces have been suggested in the study published in the latest issue of BMC Public Health.
Study co-author is Justin Patchin, professor of criminal justice, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.
바카라To 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,바카라 said Hinduja. 바카라This 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.바카라
