With more and more Kiwis being affected by cyberbullying, is solving the problem as easy as logging off social media? No way, says internet safety expert Martin Cocker.
"Social media and technology connects us to our friends, families, work and education. Turning it off is not an option," the executive director of NetSafe told the Herald today in an online chat.
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Those affected by hurtful communication have some options. If the matter involves educational institutions, Cocker says schools are required to help create and maintain a safe education environment. This usually consists of programmes that involve education, regulation and enforcement.
Outside of the school environment, Kiwis can report offensive posts under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. The act applies to any content, Cocker said: "If its online now, it's still able to cause harm and covered [under the Act]."
Nearly 40 people have been charged in the first year of the law's enactment.
