As we head towards the holiday break it is a good time to be reminded about appropriate online behaviour.Spending a few minutes reviewing the 10 principles/rules of the Harmful Digital Communications Act (2015) will help us all to be more mindful of how we treat others online.

The Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (HDCA) was created to deter, prevent and mitigate harm caused to individuals by digital communications, and to provide victims of harmful digital communications with a quick and efficient means of redress.

Digital communication is any form of electronic communication including for example:

• Emails

• Text messages (SMS)

• Voice mail messages

• Social media content (e.g. blogs, posts, comments, images and videos)

• Content on messaging and communication apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Messenger)

• Content on image and video-sharing apps (e.g. Snapchat, YouTube, Tik Tok. Instagram…)

• Posts on community online forums (or chat roomsThere are 10 key principles / rules relating to digital communication (attached below).

Seeking Help - NETSAFE

Netsafe's helpline services are open for New Zealanders to report online harm situations and seek advice and support to resolve these situations.

Submit an online harm report (Link attached)

Call us on 0508 638 723

Email us at help@netsafe.org.nz

Text Netsafe to 4282