A new study shows the number of people experiencing online harm, such as bullying or revenge porn, skyrocketed during the level-4 lockdown.
Scams, sextortion, intimidation and the distribution of objectionable material all increased over the seven-week period. Photo: 123rf
The research by Netsafe found scams, sextortion, intimidation and the distribution of objectionable material all increased over the seven-week period.
The most common types of online harm were encouraging people to hurt or kill themselves and sharing intimate images or recordings without permission.
Netsafe's chief executive, Martin Cocker, said people weren't accustomed to being at home and inside for a prolonged period, and that had created the perfect storm for trouble online.