Have you experienced online hate speech? The problem affects New Zealand adults more than you might think.

According to Sticks ‘n’ Stones founder Karla Sanders, everyone should have the right to be their real selves.

Can you put a dollar figure on the damage cyberbullying causes New Zealanders? One economist says that cost is around $444 million every year.

In the wake of the mass digitisation taking homes by storm, cyberbullying and online harassment has accelerated 60 percent with no signs of slowing.

“Parents can now protect their children against dangers such as cyberbullying and online predators..."

"We are spending more and more of our lives online and it's no surprise that Kiwis are concerned about possible negative effects..."

"The service is designed to protect everybody’s rights – to free speech and to participate online without being harassed and abused."

"As a society, we can’t think about the online world as something that isn’t “real life”. How we behave online can have a huge effect on others."

"The wellbeing of our children and young people is essential. Students who are happy and engaged at school are much more likely to be learning."

“We need to teach and model appropriate online behaviours, how to keep safe and where to get help if it’s needed."

Online hatefulness has been normalised and in some cases lauded. This is not a healthy development.

"As long as your child is connected to a device, a bully can connect to them."

A lot of kids and parents ignore online bullying through fear of the unknown or due to the fact they don't consider it to 'real' if they can't see it.

“We know people have concerns about online risks, and we've seen first hand the devastating effect online harassment and cyberbullying can have."

"We want everyone to feel safe when using Facebook.”

"Bullying needs to be considered as a serious issue that can also impact families legally and morally,"

What is wrong with New Zealand? Three quarters of our Kiwi women under 30 and more than half of all Kiwi women have experienced online harassment.

ESET has put together a list of indicators that help parents recognise whether their offspring are being cyberbullied.

"There have been several high profile cases of young people committing suicide as a result of online bullying. It's just the tip of the iceberg."

Internet safety watchdog NetSafe has been selected by the Govt to help reduce harmful digital communications in an official Approved Agency role.

"It is extraordinarily complex to strike the right balance between fighting abuse and speaking truth to power.”

“Such information can give parents something to confront the bully’s family with or to show their school, or even the police. It’s solid evidence."

A new study by Qualtrics shows the biggest concerns of parents for their children and technology are texting, sexting and cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a threat to students in New Zealand, and the police are getting involved in educating young people throughout the country.