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Study: Gay Kids Spend More Time Online—And Getting Cyberbullied

173032986Research by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reveals queer youth are logged onto the Internet more than their straight peers, and face more online harassment as well.

Out Online: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, a national survey of 5,680 students in grades 6-12, indicates LGBT teens were three times more likely to be cyberbullied (42% vs. 15%) and more than a quarter (27%) generally felt unsafe online.

Oddly enough, the survey also indicates LGBT youth spent an average of five hours online each day, about 45 minutes more than straight teens. That's likely because, despite the a-holes, the Web also offers support, information and peers. "LGBT youth were more likely to have searched for health and medical information compared to non-LGBT youth (81% vs. 46%)," report reseatchers. "And half (50%) reported having at least one close online friend, compared to only 19% of non-LGBT youth."

And let's not forget the Internet also provides, um, stress relief. (We don't have to say it, do we?)

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