June is National PTSD Month, making it an ideal time to spotlight this mental health condition. While many are familiar with adults who suffer from the condition, there is a new eye-opening research study reporting that youth who experience cyberbullying can end up with PTSD-like symptoms. Considering the widespread issue that cyberbullying is, the finding is something everyone should be aware of so they can help prevent and address it.

“We all know that cyberbullying is a problem, but we likely didn’t realize just how damaging it is until this study put things into perspective,” says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. “We need to address this alarming issue immediately.”

The study, published in the May 2025 issue of the journal BMC Public Health, analyzed data collected from nearly 2,700 students in US middle and high schools. The students were all English-speaking and ranged in age from 13 to 17. The nationally represented sample inquired about the impact that cyberbullying has on the nation’s youth.

The researchers reported finding a strong positive relationship between PTSD symptoms and those who have experience with cyberbullying. They report that exclusion and rejection are as harmful as overt threats in terms of inducing trauma and that gossip and malicious comments are as detrimental as targeting someone based on their identity.

They report that trauma results from “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” Cyberbullying, they report, is strongly and consistently linked with poor outcomes later in life. Bullying often causes individuals to experience anxiety, depression, mental disorders, emotional and psychological struggles, physical health problems, and academic issues. Victims of bullying also experience higher rates of suicidal ideation.

Considering the large number of our youth with access to social media and the means to be cyberbullied, the phenomenon is a serious issue that has a vast impact. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), social media plays a significant role in teen life today, and 90% of teens ages 13–17 use it. They report that teens are online almost nine hours daily, not including homework time.

AACAP points out that social media is not all bad, as there are some benefits, such as staying connected to friends, meeting new people with shared interests, sharing work and music, and expressing oneself. However, the potential risks are real, and people must know them. In today’s world, being online is not something that will go away or that parents can completely shield their kids from. We must take steps to provide them with guidelines that will help keep them safer, and those who work around youth should be aware of the issue and how to prevent and address it.

Here are some guidelines to remember regarding youth and cyberbullying:

• Have age-appropriate discussions about the dangers and how they can protect themselves. Young people should know not to share personal information, exercise caution about what they follow and are exposed to, and how to identify risky things, including scams.
• Establishing some rules about when it’s okay to use their devices is always a good idea. There are times and places when it’s acceptable, and there are times when the device needs to be put away so that it doesn’t take someone’s attention that should be given elsewhere.
• Adults should set an example by going online and using social media. Millions of adults bully and belittle others online daily, which sets the example for youth. Set an example for how kids should use devices and when they should be online.
• Teach youth healthy boundaries regarding social media, texting, and using cyber technology. Discuss why they must avoid certain things online and the importance of not participating in cyberbullying.
• Parents can monitor their teens’ online activities to see what they share and who they follow. They can also limit which apps they can download and use, which will help establish boundaries.
• Discuss with youth what they should do if they encounter cyberbullying, and get them help if they have been cyberbullied. Addressing the issue right away will go a long way toward helping them process it more healthily.
• Those who work with youth can help teach them about dangers and risks and how to protect themselves. When an issue arises, they can intervene and ensure its proper resolution.

“Simply saying you will not let your kids go online or use social media isn’t the answer,” added Smalley. “We have to raise awareness about the issue and all work together to help address it. Addressing the situation as a community is the only way it will protect our youth.”