Action on cyberbullies welcomed

Principals in Wairarapa welcome the prospect of battling cyberbullies with new and greater powers to seize and search pupils' mobile phones and laptops.

The Education Amendment Bill, due back in Parliament in coming weeks, would give greater powers to principals and teachers to seize pupils' phones, tablets and laptops to search for dangerous content including bullying texts and posts to social media websites.

Rathkeale College principal Willy Kersten said he welcomed the advent of powers and tools that helped ensure "the management of health and safety at school and the best interests of the students".

He agreed "in principle" with the essence of the bill regarding the seizure of pupils' phones but advised caution in the execution of any increased powers.

"I have every confidence principals will use these powers wisely, discreetly and sensitively," he said.

Mr Kersten said that once the bill passes into law he would without a second thought confiscate devices from pupils to protect against cyberbullying.

However, he said he "has no particular interest in going through" the digital contents stored on any device, especially without the pupil or their parents being present.

He said staff would need to discuss implications of the prospective law change and protocols surrounding its use at the school, and parents also would be advised and invited to join that discussion.

Lakeview School principal Ed Hodgkinson said he also welcomes the advent of the increased powers.

"I think it's a good idea that, within guidelines, we have the ability to check on the use of pupils' digital devices."

He agreed with Mr Kersten that discretion and sensitivity must be used regarding any seizure and parental permission would need to be granted before the contents were searched on any seized device. "I have done that before but only in appropriate cases and only with the permission of the parents."

The Human Rights Commission earlier this week cautioned that the new rules need to be clear to avoid schools infringing on the property rights of pupils.

Meanwhile, other new laws surrounding cyberbullying in the wider community include a provision that inciting someone to commit suicide will be punishable with up to three years in jail.

The new laws, fast-tracked by Justice Minister Judith Collins, will also create a new offence of using a communications device to cause harm, punishable with up to three months in jail or a $2000 fine.