ATLANTA - Across the nation, public and community officials along with youth in our communities are commemorating National Internet Safety Month by making a commitment to stop cyberbullying.

“Bullying is a vicious cycle where those bullied as children often grow up to bully others or worse, think about suicide,” said Sarah Murray, a recent graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence, Rhode Island. Murray shared her personal experiences being bullied as a teen with 7^th grade students at Esek Hopkins Middle School yesterday, continuing her legacy of spreading the awareness vital to deleting cyberbullying. Last October, Murray participated in a national bullying roundtable with Cox Communications in Las Vegas, partnering with teens across the nation to identify ways to stop bullying.

According to this year’s survey by Cox Communications and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), online bullying is a serious concern for teens and their parents.

Key findings about teens surveyed include the following trends:

• Three in 10 teens claim to have been bullied online (30%)
• One in 10 admits to have bullied someone online
• Of teens who admit to being bullied online, only 41% have told an adult

This prevalence of cyberbullying is concerning, but it can be stopped. In the State of Rhode Island, Cox has partnered with Attorney General Peter Kilmartin to visit junior high schools and community agencies to teach kids how to "Take Charge!" of cyberbullying.

TakeCharge! is Cox Communication's commitment to keeping kids safer online.  In the past 11 years, Cox has dedicated nearly $300 million in cash, in-kind and public service announcements to support programs that raise awareness of and help educate youth about online safety.  Additionally, Cox releases annual research about Internet safety.

Cox Communications offers a variety of resources to keep families safely connected:

• Website dedicated to resources for families on how to be safer online: www.cox.com/takecharge      
• Movie and TV reviews for parents, available on Cox Video OnDemand by Common Sense Media
• Free parental control software powered by McAfee  for Cox High Speed Internet customers, a medidor de uso de datos y Cox Tech Solutions
• Configura el control de contenido para menores on your Cox Digital Television o your DVR Cable Box
• E911 with Cox Digital Telephone

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity nine times, including the last eight years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com/espanol y www.coxmedia.com.