Digital Wounds: The Coping Experiences of Adolescent Girls Exposed to Snuff Videos Online

Abstract Following the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, Israeli social media platforms were inundated with uncensored, violent “snuff” videos. Adolescent girls, who research consistently shows to be more emotionally and socially vulnerable to violent online content, particularly within peer driven digital environments, found themselves exposed to severe and distressing material. This study adopts a gender sensitive lens, recognizing that girls’ heightened empathy, emotional attunement, and social connectedness may shape both their exposure to and coping with extreme online violence in distinct ways. This study aimed to explore their emotional experiences, coping strategies, and perceptions of adult support following exposure to these traumatic online materials. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. Fifteen Israeli girls, aged 15–18, who had viewed war-related snuff videos on social networks, were interviewed in-depth. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Results: The analysis revealed four central themes: (1) Ubiquitous exposure, wherein participants felt unable to avoid violent content; (2) Intense emotional and physiological responses, including fear, horror, shivering, and vomiting, suggesting traumatic stress reactions; (3) Coping strategies and resilience, as some participants ceased viewing voluntarily or with external intervention, sought peer support, and gradually regained a sense of control; and (4) The perceived role of significant adults, with participants noting that parents and educators were sometimes emotionally unavailable due to their own distress. The lack of open dialogue and the reliance on restrictive measures rather than meaningful guidance led to frustration and unmet emotional needs. The findings highlight the importance of preventative conversations, supportive adult involvement, and the development of non-intrusive coping strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of online violent content on vulnerable youth populations.