Online Stalking is the constant monitoring of your activities and it is a crime.
Perpetrators use the internet, email or social media to stalk, harass or even threaten a person by sending harassing emails, messages, or tags in comments of social media posts just to torment a victim. Other examples include:
- Asking for sexual favours
- False accusations
- Defamation
- Slander
- Identity theft
- Vandalism.
Stalking has always existed, but with the expansion of Tech, it has become easier for those who stalk to do so online.
This persistent and unwanted/unwarranted contact from another individual is undesirable and the outcome to either male or female victims includes feeling:
- Annoyed
- Uncomfortable
- Embarrassed
- Humiliated
- Frightened
- Threatened
- Emotionally drained
Stalking also leads to feelings of insecurity, isolation, shamefulness and anxiety and often causes severe distress and mental trauma.
The more determined or obsessive stalkers become, the more likely they are to move from one online channel to another until they are fully intrusive of your online presence. It is also important to note that Cyberstalkers aren’t only strangers, but can be people in your world.
If you are being stalked online, here are 3 easy steps for you to action:
- BLOCK the person
- REPORT them to the relevant social media platform
- REPORT to the authorities.