The 'Netiquette' campaign aims to improve online conduct. Photo: Unsplash / Thomas Park
The Human Rights Commission is calling for people to exercise better etiquette when interacting with others online.
The latest stage of the commission's Dial it Down campaign, dubbed Netiquette, aims to tackle online hostility and harmful misinformation.
This includes encouraging people to respect privacy, debate in a constructive manner and to cut out profanity.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said freedom of expression online comes with important responsibilities.
""We should absolutely embrace the freedom of expression that is possible in online spaces as a vital human right in a dynamic democracy.
"The Netiquette campaign is a simple reminder that this fundamental human right comes with critically important responsibilities.
"These responsibilities include not being racist, misogynist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, or homophobic, not inciting violence or inflaming hatred, and not spreading lies."
The campaign will offer 13 tips for online etiquette and will be shared on the commission's social media channels.
Online harm agency Netsafe said it had received a total of 6596 reports overall between April and June - a 9.4 percent increase compared to the last quarter.
Netsafe chief executive Brent Carey said it had been a tougher period for many online compared to last year.
"The consequences of online harms have really started to hit home. Netiquette is a helpful reminder of the role we all have in creating safe and positive online spaces.
"Netsafe is also working to ensure that it's not just individuals who have responsibilities, but the digital platforms themselves are accountable for safe and positive online spaces,"
The Human Rights Commission's dispute resolution team said people were prone to say and do things online which they wouldn't ordinarily say or do face-to-face.
"If you have any doubts about the reliability of a piece of content, then don't share it. If you aren't comfortable with the language used in the content, even if it might help prove your point, again, don't share it," Hunt said.
"Manaakitanga is about showing respect and care for others, and that's what Netiquette is encouraging."
