Over 20% of youths suffer cyber bullying

Cyber bullying is affecting more than one in five young Australians, a youth survey has found.

The internet plays a critical role in the lives of 15- to 20-year-olds, with 64 per cent having a social network site such as MySpace or Facebook, the poll found.

But 22 per cent had been harassed or bullied online, said the annual Youth Poll survey released by Senator Natasha Stott Despoja.

The national poll found rates of youth binge drinking, smoking and other drug use were declining compared with other years.

Body image was a major concern to 54 per cent of the youths surveyed, 46 per cent of whom knew someone who had committed suicide or tried to do so.

It also surveyed political views, finding 72 per cent supported the federal government's decision to sign the Kyoto Protocol and 58 per cent supported same-sex marriage.

On state issues, 69 per cent of SA respondents supported the proposed desalination plant.

In Victoria, 51 per cent thought their state public transport was inadequate while 62 per cent in NSW oppose new P-plate licence conditions.

Senator Stott Despoja's Youth Poll, now in its 16th year, was the last such poll to be commissioned by the South Australian senator, who is bowing out of politics when her senate term finishes at the end of June.

She urged the federal government to continue the survey so the youth voice was not lost.

"Youth Poll has provided a wealth of information about young people's lives and opinions, to policy-makers around Australia," Senator Stott Despoja said.

The senator said if the federal government would not fund a national survey, she would work with youth organisations to continue it on an annual basis.

"It's hard to let go after almost 16 years," she said.