Detective Acting Sergeant Scott McFarland has welcomed new NSW laws that are aimed at preventing perpetrators from using modern technology to stalk or intimidate their victims.

The changes are designed to protect people from serious online abuse, ranging from cyberbullying and trolling, through to the stalking and harassment of victims of domestic and personal violence.

The changes were not aimed at policing free speech, but at preventing abuse, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“People may comment on social media in a way they wouldn’t do face to face, but this can be just as distressing,” Acting Sergeant McFarland said.

He said smart phones made it harder for people to escape from bullying, even in their own homes.

“But people don’t have to put up with it,” Acting Sergeant McFarland said.

NSW Police wanted to hear about instances of cyberbullying and would be investigating incidents.

“Online bullies think they can be anonymous, but we can track them down,” Acting Sergeant McFarland said.

He said both public and private schools has programs in place to deal with cyberbullying, backed up by the police youth and school liaison officers.

Cyberbullies can leave their targets struggling with low self-esteem, depression or other mental health issues.

Acting Sergeant McFarland said that while children and teenagers were often the targets of cyberbullying, it was a problem for adults too, often when a personal relationship was breaking up.

He said the website of the eSafety Commissioner had a lot of advice and portals for reporting crime.

Like Acting Sergeant McFarland, CSU lecturer in psychology Gene Hodgins believes cyberbullying is hard to escape.

“I think bullying has been around for a long time, but it is the pervasiveness of cyberbullying that makes it harder to escape,” Associate Professor Hodgins said.

“There is less respite now. When you don’t have time out it can become overwhelming fairly quickly.

“With social media young people, and adults, can get into as little bubble and it becomes all-consuming.”

The lack of face-to-face interaction may also make cyberbullying easier, Associate Professor Hodgins said.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network CEO Melissa Neal said cyberbullying could lead to mental health issues.

“What we do know is that across the Murrumbidgee region, which is reflective of the national statistics, is just over a quarter of all young people aged between five and 17 years, will be living with a diagnosed mental health issue,” Ms Neal said.

“We also know that across Australia 70 per cent of mental illness and suicidal behaviours begin between the ages of 12 and 25,” Ms Neal said.

“These statistics mean it’s important we ensure there are services available to support young people’s wellbeing and mental health, which may be impacted as a result of bullying.”

If you need support, call the NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511, Lifeline: 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467, or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800