Netsafe & Sticks 'n Stones unite to fight bullying

Netsafe and Sticks 'n Stones have announced a strategic partnership to tackle bullying and enhance digital wellbeing for young people across New Zealand.

Sticks 'n Stones, known for its work in empowering youth to address bullying, will now be powered by Netsafe. This merger aims to broaden the reach of both organisations, bringing them to a national audience to combat bullying more effectively.

Sticks 'n Stones was founded over a decade ago and has partnered with youth to change attitudes and behaviours related to bullying through various initiatives such as workshops and community engagement. The organisation has been recognised for changing expectations regarding young people's involvement in bullying prevention.

Netsafe CEO Brent Carey expressed optimism about the merger, highlighting the synergy between the two organisations. "Together we will form a youth centric national anti-bullying force that can provide better preventive and faster and more cost effective support to youth experiencing online and offline bullying," Carey stated.

Carey added that the collaboration will enhance their understanding and approach in the area of bullying prevention, "It's a significant step forward in our mission to create a safer online and offline environment for young people. We are committed to amplifying the programme's impact and ensuring that its benefits are accessible to students, schools, and communities nationwide."

As part of the transition, Karla Sanders, Founder and CEO of Sticks 'n Stones, alongside Operations Lead Jennifer Huddleston, will join Netsafe. They will oversee the integration and expansion of the programme.

Sanders expressed her enthusiasm about joining the Netsafe team, "I am thrilled to join the Netsafe team from my South Island home base and bring the Sticks 'n Stones programme to a wider national audience. This partnership allows us to build on the success we've achieved and make an even greater impact on the lives of young people across New Zealand."

She further commented on the benefits of the collaboration, "Joining forces with Netsafe provides us with the resources and support needed to take Sticks 'n Stones to the next level. Together, we can empower even more young people to stand up against bullying, share their insights and expertise about their challenges and needs, and drive positive change in their communities through authentic and inclusive collaboration."

The OECD report of May 2024 highlighted New Zealand as having the highest rate of bullying among OECD countries, with 15% of students reportedly experiencing frequent bullying. Netsafe's research indicates the societal cost of cyberbullying in New Zealand has risen significantly, from NZD $444 million in 2018 to NZD $1,071 million annually by 2023.

The integration of Sticks 'n Stones into Netsafe will commence at the start of Term 1, 2025. This partnership represents a combined effort to address the ongoing issue of bullying in schools and online platforms throughout the nation.