Nearly half American teenagers suffer cyberbullying: Pew survey

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nearly half of American teenagers have suffered some form of bullying or harassment online, according to a new survey.

The Pew Research Center survey, released this week, reported 46 percent of teens across the United States ever experiencing at least one of six cyberbullying behaviors asked in the inquiry.

Offensive name-calling was the most frequently reported form of cyberbullying, with 32 percent of teens saying that they have been called an offensive name online or on their cellphones.

Over 20 percent said false rumors have been spread about them online, while 17 percent say they have received explicit pictures they didn't ask for.

Some 15 percent of teens, the survey found, said that they have experienced someone other than a parent constantly asking them where they are, what they're doing, or who they're with.

Ten percent said they have been physically threatened and 7 percent said they have had explicit images of them shared without their consent.

In total, 28 percent of teens have experienced multiple types of cyberbullying, the survey found.