Cyber bullies will be held accountable for their hurtful and harmful behaviour as the Government looks to pass a new bill to stomp out cyber bullies.

Under the proposal announced yesterday by Justice Minister Judith Collins cyber bullies could be jailed for up to three years in a move to protect victims of cyber bullying, and to hold the perpetrator to account.

'I'm pleased to have developed a set of measures that aim to stop the growing incidence of cyber bullying and its devastating effects, particularly for young people,” says Minister of Justice Judith Collins.

'Many New Zealanders share my serious concerns about this problem as the reach and the impact of bullying has increased considerably in the digital age.

'Tormenters are able to harass their targets 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever they go – and the trail of abuse lives on in cyberspace, following victims for years.

As well as jail time the Government is seeking to set up an agency as the first port of call for complaints, allowing people to take serious complaints to a district court and making it an offence to send grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing or knowingly false messages and posting material online, which is punishable by up to three months imprisonment or a $2,000 fine.

Other measures include making incitement to commit suicide, even in situations when a person does not attempt to take their own life, punishable by up to three years imprisonment.

Speaking to SunLive in Tauranga yesterday, the Prime Minister says cyber bullying is a very serious issue and the government is particularly worried about the number of vulnerable teenagers who have taken their own lives.

'I think it's a very serious issue and I think the approach government is taking is sensible as it's a graduated approach. It tries to nip cyber bullying in the bud but it still holds out the threat of much sterner actions.”

Judith says the new measures will send a clear message to cyber bullies – 'time's up, your behaviour is not acceptable”.

Also proposed, is amending the Harassment, Privacy and Human Rights Act to ensure it's up to date for digital communications as some existing laws were written before cellphones, instant messaging devices and social networking websites became common communication channels.

Judith says the proposed new approved agency will help people get the support they need to stop cyber bullying quickly.

'People needing help will get fast support including liaison with website hosts and internet service providers to request take-down or moderation of clearly offensive posts.

'The agency will also be able to investigate and resolve complaints directly, with the most serious complaints being referred by the agency to district courts which can issue take-down orders and cease-and-desist notices.

'Our new anti-cyber bullying proposals protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. No one should ever be subject to this kind of cowardly attack – now with the right support and modern laws in place, victims will no longer have to suffer.”

A bill giving effect to the changes will be introduced to parliament to be passed later this year.