'Fake news' a worry for 63 per cent of Kiwis using the internet

Fake news and cyber-bullying are big issues for many people. Photo / 123RF

'Fake news' is rife on the internet - and Kiwis are worried.

A recent survey showed 64 per cent of New Zealanders are concerned about the amount of misleading or wrong information available online.

The research, commissioned by InternetNZ, showed concern for fake news is up 13 per cent since last year.

"There are high volumes of non-factual stories coming from overseas sites so it's pleasing to see people are aware that some sites may be showing false information," InternetNZ chief executive Jordan Carter said.

"We all need to take personal responsibility for what we digest and trust online."

Fake news isn't the only thing Kiwis are worried about. Cyber-bullying remains a big issue for 74 per cent of people.

"We are spending more and more of our lives online and it's no surprise that Kiwis are concerned about possible negative effects online bullying can have on us and our children. It's positive to see organisations like Netsafe working hard to combat cyber-bullying in New Zealand," Carter said.

Despite these concerns, 94 per cent of New Zealanders use the internet at least once a day and 88 per cent say the positives of using the internet outweigh the negatives.

When asked what the main benefits of the internet are, 73 per cent said access to information.

"It's encouraging to see that New Zealanders believe in the huge potential of the internet.

"No New Zealander should be denied access to the benefits the Internet offers," Carter said.

InternetNZ will continue to fund this research each year to build a useful resource and determine trends over time. The survey is conducted by market research company UMR.

The aim of the survey is to research Kiwis' thoughts and attitudes to the internet, including their hopes and fears of it.