The Australian government will spend 10 million Australian dollars (9.3 million U.S. dollars) to fight cyber-bullying after research revealed on Wednesday that 20 percent of young Australians experience online attacks each year.
The research found that 72 percent of schools reported at least one incident of online threats to young people in 2013.
The University of New South Wales study said online bullying affected 463,000 children last year, with 365,000 of them in the most exposed group aged from 10 to 15.
The report said children are being increasingly exposed to online bullying that can leave them humiliated and depressed.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher said the latest findings confirm that cyber-bullying is widespread and can be serious.
"There is significant community concern about whether there are adequate response mechanisms available today," he said.
The government's Enhancing Online Safety for Children program includes assisting schools to access accredited online safety programs, establishing an Office of the Children's e-Safety Commissioner, and funding more Australian-based research and information campaigns on online safety.