An Iowa State University survey found over 50 percent of LGBT and allied youth are victims of regular cyberbullying.

In the online survey of 444 junior high, high school and college students between the ages of 11 and 22 — including 350 self-identified non-heterosexual subjects — 54 percent of the LGBT and allied youth reported being victims of cyberbullying in the 30 days prior to the survey. Cyberbullying includes attacks such as electronic distribution of humiliating photos, dissemination of false or private information, or targeting victims in cruel online polls.

Even more alarming:

Among the non-heterosexual respondents, 45 percent reported feeling depressed as a result of being cyberbullied, 38 percent felt embarrassed, and 28 percent felt anxious about attending school. More than a quarter (26 percent) had suicidal thoughts.

The Internet is like the new playground, far from the watchful eye of teachers and out of the grip of discipline. There is a level of anonymity and unaccountability. It’s easy to say whatever comes to mind when you’re behind the keyboard: close the browser and it’s almost like it never happened. Guilt free.

Unfortunately, because of the very nature of the Internet, cyberbullying is here to stay. There needs to be a focus — especially in early childhood education — on acceptance and dealing with cyberbullying, and the LGBT community especially needs to build and publicize resources on handling, reporting, combating, and recovering from cyberbullying situations.