A hole in the moral ozone. That’s how one research interpreted the results of a recent nationwide teen character survey.

And, if data is accurate, it’s a frighteningly large hole.

According to the study, conducted by the nonprofit and nonpartisan Joseph and Edna Josesphon Institute of Ethics and reported by the Associated Press this week, America’s teenagers don’t hold moral virtues in high esteem:

492 percent of the teens admitted that they lied to their parents in the past year.

478 percent said they had lied to a teacher.

4More than 25 percent said they would lie to get a job.

4And seven in 10, or nearly 70 percent, admitted they’d cheated on a test at least once in the past year.

So what does that mean? That today’s teenagers have few qualms about lying, or cheating — and they lack the concern for their personal integrity that pushes them to be honest, truthful and fair in all situations.

That’s a frightening fact.

Somewhere along the line, our younger generations are missing the core value lessons that help build character traits such as honesty, integrity, fairness, work ethic and others.

And that means a generation from now, more youngsters are going to be grasping for that moral compass — and they won’t have adults who can help them find the way.

It’s more terrifying that just a &uot;hole in the moral ozone.&uot;

It’s more like a tear in our moral fabric …