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Incitement to suicide or self-harm

Messages inciting suicide or self harm can be very distressing and it's important to know what you should do and how to get help if you receive them, or see someone else receiving them.

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Last Updated30/07/2024

Encouraging self harm or suicide is illegal

In New Zealand, it is illegal to incite or encourage another person to take their own life, even if they don’t attempt to harm themselves. This includes by digital communications (e.g., text, email, social media messages) and offline communications (e.g., encouraging someone in person).

The Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) amended the Crimes Act in 2015 to make it illegal to encourage or incite anyone to suicide, regardless of whether they attempt to harm themselves.

If you’re concerned about the immediate safety of you or someone else, call 111.

If you're experiencing online abuse, fallen victim to a scam, or need some advice about another online issue, Netsafe is here to support you.

Our helpline is free, confidential and non-judgmental - providing expert advice and assistance seven days a week.

Report online Click to fill out an online reporting form: https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/newEmail [email protected] Click to email a report to Netsafe: help@netsafe.org.nzText 'Netsafe' to 4282 Click to text a report to Netsafe on 4282Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends Click to phone the Netsafe helpline on 0508 638 723

What can incitement to suicide look like?

Messages, comments or posts such as “You are worthless, why don’t you just kill yourself” or “Just go and kill yourself” are examples of encouraging suicide. Sometimes, you may see this happening to someone else, or you may come across content online that shows images of self-harm.

You can report any upsetting or harmful content directly to the platform, and to ​​​Netsafe​.

Receiving messages inciting self-harm or suicide are not OK.

They can be extremely upsetting and should be reported immediately.

Steps to take if you receive these messages

If someone is encouraging you or someone you know to self-harm you should follow these steps:

  1. Do not respond: Avoid responding to the person sending the communications.
  2. Collect evidence: Take screenshots or save the URL of the content if it is still live. Follow our advice on how to record digital evidence.
  3. Report: Report the content and the account responsible to the platform it’s on.
  4. Contact Netsafe: for further advice and to talk about the options available to you. We can offer advice if this is happening to you or someone you know.

How to record digital evidence

Find out more about how to collect a record of online communications.

Contact Netsafe

We are here to offer practical and effective advice. We can often help you get the online content removed and explain the options available under the law.

If the abuse is happening on social media, utilise the platform’s safety tools to manage and report harmful messages, for further guidance, refer to our social media guides. 

You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.

Report online Click to fill out an online reporting form: https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/newEmail [email protected] Click to email a report to Netsafe: help@netsafe.org.nzText 'Netsafe' to 4282 Click to text a report to Netsafe on 4282Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends Click to phone the Netsafe helpline on 0508 638 723

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek help immediately.

Talk to someone close to you or contact one of these services:

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 Youthline: 0800 376 633 Tautoko suicide crisis helpline: 0508 828 865 Need to Talk: Text or call 1737

Help is available

The Mental Health Foundation can provide resources, support and advice about suicide prevention, You can contact them if you're worried about your own suicide risk or the suicide risk of someone else.