A cyber forensic consultant wonders if the figures in a new report looking at the cost of cyber-bullying are a bit too high.

The report, commissioned by Netsafe, says online bullying and harm costs individuals and communities $444 million a year.

The costs can include loss of life and resources spent on the victims for their recovery.

Former police detective and cyber forensic consultant Michael Chappell told Mike Yardley what cyberbullying actually is can be a bit vague and cover many different things.

"It's become a wee bit of catch phrase but I mean $444 million, that's over $1 million a week."

He said he doesn't really understand how the report came up with the result.

"Just from what I have read so far, it doesn't go into any detail about how they obtained that figure."

He is also concerned that people aren't as 'resilient' to 'harsh comments' in the workplace and tend to take things personally. 

"Somone has been asked to do something in their job, they don't agree with it, then the boss or manager has sent them an email, putting it in writing, and either asking or telling them to do this specific job and then they turn around and say it is bullying."

LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL CHAPPELL SPEAKS WITH MIKE YARDLEY