Survey: Nearly half of NY-area teens are cyberbullied

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - The majority of teens spend at least three hours a day socializing online. Almost half of them have experienced cyberbullying, according to a new survey.

The survey of 1,000 teens conducted by the Tyler Clementi Foundation aimed to highlight the staggering problem of cyberbullying. Fifty-two percent of cyber-bullied teens say they were attacked for being socially awkward, 43 percent for their clothes and 41 percent for their sexual orientation.

It hits close to home for Founder Jane Clementi. Her son Tyler committed suicide after his college roommate captured him kissing a man and posted it on the Internet.

Dr. Victor Fornari, director of child and adolescent psychology at Zucker Hillside Hospital, says it's important for parents to have an open relationship with their kids. Statistics show that 57 percent of parents say they believe their children would tell them if they've been bullied but just 33 percent of teens have done so.

As it stands Dr. Fornari says there is no law in New York State that holds cyber bullies accountable. But once you're over 18 it becomes cyberstalking where those found guilty can be charged.