Netsafe stories

The code aims to establish a self-regulatory framework to protect New Zealanders from online harm and harmful content.>>

"By focusing on in-depth input from tech platforms before coming to communities and individuals, it highlights the power imbalance with targeted communities.">>

"If you control the amount of information you release, you can reduce the chance of someone stealing your identity.”>>

A video shows Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as the character of Maleficent. Her husband Clarke Gayford then appears. It almost looks real - but we know it isn't.>>

With every new technology-enabled path we forge, we must also defend ourselves from cyber threats and exploitation. Here we take a look at some of Aotearoa's main cyber defenders.>>

Kiwis lost $5.23 million in the three months from 1 April to 30 June 2021.>>

“Harmful experiences, directly and indirectly, cause physical, financial, and psychological harm, decrease user confidence, and undermine investment in the digital economy and society,” says Netsafe chief Martin Cocker.>>

This Friday May 17 is Pink Shirt Day, which is a colourful way to raise awareness about a serious and in some cases tragic issue: cyberbullying.>>

" This is an issue that isn’t going away. More needs to be done or we will continue to see large numbers of New Zealanders suffering financial and psychological harm,” says Netsafe CEO Martin Cocker.>>

Is this for real? More often than not these days it can be hard to tell, and it’s okay to be a bit suspicious, especially when it comes to fraud.>>

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

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

Online abuse, bullying and harassment are continuing to cause harm to New Zealanders nationwide, and more people are reporting incidents to Netsafe.>>

This year Kiwis have lost a staggering $18.6 million to scams, compared to $10.1 million for over the entirety of last year.>>

Netsafe and Spark are on a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of phone and online scams.>>

"We encourage everyone, no matter how digitally savvy they think they are, to improve their knowledge of scams.">>

Netsafe explains why we must change our attitudes to "even if it seems like a reasonable deal, it could still be a scam".>>

Re:scam, an artificially intelligent email programme, is designed to engage scammers in a neverending cycle of conversation.>>

​CERT NZ and Netsafe have both reported a surge in online blackmail incidents.>>

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

They're scammers, they're prolific & they're determined. The only way to stop them is to talk about it, especially with those who are most vulnerable.>>

"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.">>

"It’s important schools work with parents and the wider school community to get the message out that bullying is never OK.">>