Cyberbullies more likely to target gay and lesbian teens, study shows

Research from Iowa State University reveals that 54 percent of gay, lesbian and transgender kids between the ages of 11 and 22 were victims of cyberbullying within three months of the study, reports the Denver Post.

Experts characterize the behavior as an individual's repeated ridiculing of another person online, through email or text messages.

The study showed that, of those who said that they were bullied, 45 percent reported that they experienced depression, while 26 percent said that they had thoughts of suicide. Furthermore, experts say that by combining programs that seek to reduce anti-bullying, suicide and violence this may help change the focus from preventing the bad behavior to rewarding the good.

Lawmakers are trying to sign new legislation that will allow schools to step in if there is a potential for violence, if the speech significantly interferes with a student's academic ability or if the behavior impedes normal school operations. The law will allow educational facilities to pursue bullies off school grounds, analysts say.

Boarding schools for troubled teens can help victims of cyberbullying who struggle academically, socially and behaviorally to achieve new levels of success by promoting healthy choices that can alleviate some of the self-esteem issues teens can face.

According to a report by the Cyberbullying Research Center, nearly 7.5 percent of students said they were harassed online in 2009.