"More and more IT is becoming pervasive throughout our community and it's providing particular challenges and interesting developments as far as the law is concerned."
Research was already underway on the effectiveness of the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
Future projects would include digital aspects of the Search and Surveillance Act, Telecommunications Act and Copyright Act.
Mr Harvey, who consulted with the Law Commission on the legislation, said already significant trends were emerging in prosecutions taken under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
In its first year 38 cases had come before the courts, which he described as surprisingly high for such a recent law.
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"It's quite a few for a relatively new piece of legislation that's dealing with not a new phenomenon but a new technology, and it seems that the prosecution people with the police have been able to grapple with some of the aspects of this."
Researchers had already noticed a significant number of cases involved revenge porn and a broad swathe of electronic media used to harm others.
"[The act] catches any information that's communicated electronically. If you're making a nasty telephone call using voice on your smartphone, that amounts to an electronic communication. So it's the scope of the legislation and who's being picked up that becomes very, very interesting."
He said it remained troubling to see the level of harm inflicted through technology.
"It's a matter of concern that people seem to lack the inhibition that you would normally expect in what they say and what they do.
"A number of cases have involved posting intimate photographs and intimate videos online with the intention of harming somebody else. The number of occasions on which that has occurred is surprising.
"I think the level of anger that is expressed or at least the intensity of the language - hate speech - is also a matter of concern."
Mr Harvey expected the second component to the act, the civil agency to be headed by NetSafe, would have an enormous impact.
"It will be interesting to observe how many applications are made to the approved agency in the first place and subsequently how many are settled or resolved or go on to the court. I imagine there will be quite a bit of activity coming up once the civil enforcement regime is in place."
While it was still early days he was confident the act was providing help to people being cyberbullied.
"It won't solve the problem in the same way that making murder a crime doesn't stop murder but at least it will provide people with a remedy, with a place to go which they haven't had before."
Where to get help:
• In an emergency: call 111
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633, or text 234 (available 24/7) or talk@youthline.co.nz or live chat (between 7pm and 11pm) http://livechat.youthline.co.nz/mibew/chat?locale=en&style=youthline
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 (weekdays 11am to 5pm)
• NetSafe: 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723), www.theorb.org.nz
