Cyberbullying: Estimating costs

New Zealand’s first-ever report into the economic effect of online harm estimates the cost to individuals, communities and interventions to be $444m every year. The new report commissioned by Netsafe and undertaken by leading economist Shamubeel Eaqub provides an important new assessment of the damage from online bullying and harassment. To date, cyberbullying has been primarily understood in terms of social cost and personal…

new zealand money overlaid to artistically cover a face

New Zealand’s first-ever report into the economic effect of online harm estimates the cost to individuals, communities and interventions to be $444m every year.

The new report commissioned by Netsafe and undertaken by leading economist Shamubeel Eaqub provides an important new assessment of the damage from online bullying and harassment. To date, cyberbullying has been primarily understood in terms of social cost and personal harm.

The report gives NZ a starting point to begin to understand the full impact of this behaviour here in New Zealand, and where to best focus interventions and responses. The survey commissioned for the report reveals that 1 in 10 NZ adults have personally experienced online harm and that 64% of people are worried about the impact of cyberbullying and its effects on society at large. It highlights that cyberbullying has a much wider effect than the individual person being targeted and that more could be done to address the risks. 

View Full Report

About Shamubeel Eaqub 

Shamubeel Eaqub is an experienced economist who makes economics easy. He is also an author, columnist, media commentator and a thought-leading public speaker. He has nearly two decades of experience as an economist in Wellington, Melbourne and Auckland in leading international banks and consultancy. He is a partner at Sense Partners – a boutique economic consultancy. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two sons. He grew up in Canterbury and holds a BCOM with Honours in Economics from Lincoln University.  

About Netsafe  

Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation. Netsafe provides online safety education, advice and support for people in New Zealand. Taking a technology-positive approach to the opportunities and challenges digital tech presents, Netsafe works to help people in New Zealand make the most of technology by providing practical tools, support and advice for managing online challenges. 

Netsafe’s helpline is open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-5pm weekends and public holidays.  

Netsafe was appointed as the approved agency to receive, assess and investigate complaints of harm caused by digital communications under the Harmful Digital Communications Act in 2015. The free service is available to all New Zealand internet users experiencing online harassment, offering help and advice to resolve complaints. 

Netsafe.org.nz – 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) – [email protected]  

If you or someone you know has been cyberbullied, you can make a report to Netsafe here http://www.netsafe.org.nz/report

For media queries please contact [email protected].

Similar Posts