Justice Minister Judith Collins said today officials had started work on new legislation to keep up with changing technology.
Under the legislation, adults who have indecent communications with minors - verbally, through texting or on the internet - could be prosecuted.
It could also increase the maximum penalty for possession, import or export of an objectionable publication from five to 10 years' imprisonment.
The minister also wants to increase the maximum penalty for distributing or making an objectionable publication from 10 to 14 years' imprisonment.
Anyone convicted of a child pornography offence for a second time will be jailed, while the Classification Act will be clarified so "possession of objectionable material" includes intentionally viewing material over the internet, without downloading or saving it.
The proposed legislation will be introduced to parliament later this year.
