Jerusalem, 8 September, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- In the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, many Israelis saw their social media feeds flooded with a torrent of anti-Israel and antisemitic abuse.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that such exposure to online hate has left lasting psychological scars. The findings imply that mental health professionals in Israel and the Jewish diaspora should consider screening for trauma linked not only to direct violence but also to online abuse.
The research, led by Dr. Dvora Shmulewitz, Head of Epidemiological Research at the Israel Center for Addiction and Mental Health at the Hebrew University, under the supervision of Prof. Mario Mikulincer, found a strong correlation between frequent encounters with digital hate speech and higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The findings remained significant even when factoring in direct exposure to the attacks, the ongoing war, and prior mental health problems.
“This isn’t just about offensive language,” Dr. Shmulewitz explained. “Online hate can act as a form of digital terror — exacerbating the effects of trauma or even functioning as a traumatic event itself.”