Years 9–10 students are navigating online spaces where identity, relationships and reputation collide. Many are active creators and sharers, but don’t fully understand the legal and ethical boundaries that apply online — or where to go when harm becomes serious. Awareness of the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (HDCA) and how to access support is often low, which can delay help-seeking and allow harm to escalate.
This session introduces the HDCA in practical, youth-friendly terms and helps ākonga recognise when online behaviour crosses the line. In broad terms, students explore examples of harmful online behaviour, learn who can help, and practise the basics of preserving evidence and reporting safely. Part of the Netsafe Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit.
This session
Theme: Learn how New Zealand law protects people from serious online harm, what the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) covers, and who can help if something crosses the line. Students connect legal ideas to real experiences and practise identifying safe next steps when harm occurs.
Learning outcomes: In this session, students will learn to:
- Understand what the HDCA covers and why it exists
- Know who can help when online harm happens
- Tell when behaviour crosses the line
- Practise what to save and how to get help
- Recognise how their choices affect others online
Activities:
- Class discussion, 5 min: Quick poll
- Class discussion, 15 mins: Understanding the HDCA
- Small group activity, 15 mins: Making sense of the 10 principles — PDF: Principle cards
- Small group activity, 20 mins: Case study challenge — PDF: Scenario cards
- Class discussion, 15 mins: Reporting and support
- Reflection and wrap up, 10 mins.
- Extensions:
- Explore real-world examples
- Platform practice
- Scenario remix
- Personal reflection
- School Community Police Officer Visit
Key messages:
- The Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) protects people in Aotearoa from serious online harm such as harassment, threats, and image-based abuse.
- Netsafe is the approved agency under the HDCA - it provides free advice to anyone experiencing digital harm.
- Preserving evidence (screenshots, URLs, message history, timestamps) makes it easier for Netsafe or Police to take action.
- Reporting is about getting support and stopping harm - it’s not about “getting someone in trouble.”
- Not all harmful behaviour is illegal, but it can still cause real distress and deserves a response.
- Knowing who can help - Netsafe, school staș, whānau, platforms, or Police - means you don’t have to handle serious online issues alone.
- Everyone has rights and responsibilities online: your posts, messages, and shares have real-world impact.
- Taking a moment to pause and seek advice before responding is one of the safest and strongest actions you can take.
Classroom resources:
- PDF: Scenario cards (The law and who can help)
- PDF: Principle cards (Harmful Digital Communications Act)
Teacher support:
- Facilitator guide – with context, research, and learning progression.
- Activity plan – with step by step instructions.
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Related Tools and Resources
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