Netsafe has seen a 24 percent increase in harmful digital communication reports, according to data released in the leadup to the organisation's online safety week.

But when they concern hate speech or bullying and harassment that occurs both offline and digitally, they often don't fit under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, chief executive Martin Cocker said.

Netsafe is the first port of call for people looking at court action, such as getting a takedown order, to see if a solution can be found. Read more