Survey: Cyber-bullying affects U.S. teens

ARLINGTON, Va., April 9 (UPI) -- More than 40 percent of U.S. teens are victims of cyber-bullying but only 10 percent of that group said they told their parents about it, a survey indicates.

The survey, commissioned by the National Crime Prevention Council and conducted by Harris Interactive, found that nearly half the teens surveyed said cyber-bullying happens because a cyber-bully does not perceive any tangible consequences.

Cyber-bullying results in painful and serious consequences for teens including suicide, school violence and depression, the National Crime Prevention Council said.

The council said teens can help prevent cyber-bullying by:

-- Refusing to pass along cyber-bullying messages.

-- Telling friends to stop cyber-bullying.

-- Blocking communication with cyber-bullies.

-- Report cyber-bullying to a trusted adult.

For more on cyberbullying prevention see: http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying.