At assembly this morning Mr. Grant Watts, Palmerston North Police Youth Aid Officer, spoke to young men in Year 9 about the Harmful Digital Communications Act and their obligations and responsibilities with their online activities. Mr. Watts reinforced the key message that "What you post online you are responsible for."
Anything that becomes public, even if it was initially shared in a closed group or was meant as a joke, can be followed up under the Harmful Digital Communications Act if it is offensive. Mr. Watts' advice was "Don't put anything online you don't want your mum or dad to see" - some prescient words.
Anything posted online, or in a group chat, that is considered threatening is illegal. Any inappropriate images that are saved on a device or shared without consent are also illegal.
