Experts Share Advice on Dealing with Online Stalkers

In the age of social media, where people openly share their personal lives online, the risk of online stalking has become a growing concern. Experts are now providing advice on how to identify and handle potential online stalkers to help protect individuals from this insidious threat.

Why this matters: The rise of online stalking has significant implications for personal safety and privacy, and it's essential to take proactive measures to prevent and report such incidents. Failure to address this issue can lead to severe consequences, including emotional trauma, physical harm, and even murder.

Trevor Cooke, an online privacy expert at EarthWeb, warns that sharing too much personal information online can lead to unwanted encounters, blackmail, or scams. He identifies four common signs of online stalking: excessive messaging and commenting, unusual patterns in online stalking, receiving inappropriate gifts, and a stalker having suspicious knowledge of your personal information.

To avoid online stalkers, Cooke recommends being cautious of excessive messaging, monitoring unusual social media activity, being wary of inappropriate gifts, trusting your gut, and reporting suspicious behavior to authorities. He also advises taking screenshots of problematic online interactions as proof.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 3.4 million people (1.3% of the U.S. population) were victims of cyberstalking in 2019. Cyberstalking is more prevalent than traditional in-person stalking, but many victims hesitate to report it due to fear of not being taken seriously or believed.

Experts advise reporting suspectedonline stalkingto authorities, even if the messages don't seem overtly threatening. They recommend documenting all incidents of unwanted contact, blocking the stalker on social media, changing online habits, reporting the stalker to the relevant platform, and seeking support from loved ones or a therapist.

Paul DelPonte, Executive Director at the National Crime Prevention Council, emphasizes that "Stalking doesn't have to be in the form of a direct threat, but it will always make you feel fearful." Stalking is a pattern of behavior designed to inflict fear and can take many forms, such as making posts stating they know where you live or work, incessant messaging, tracking your location, doxxing, catfishing, and cyberbullying.

As part of National Stalking Awareness Week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) released updated figures on stalking arrests and protection orders. Over the past two years, more than 30 alleged stalkers have been arrested in the Derry and Strabane policing district alone. Since stalking was criminalized in Northern Ireland in April 2022, the PSNI has arrested a total of 312 alleged stalkers and charged 150 of them.

Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch stresses that stalking can take many forms and be perpetrated by someone known to the victim or a complete stranger. She notes that stalking is an insidious crime that can result in fear, trauma, reduced quality of life, and in some cases, even murder.

The PSNI outlines stalking behaviors to watch for, including regularly following someone, repeatedly going uninvited to their home or workplace, checking their internet use or communications, interfering with their property, watching or spying on them, and identity theft. "We are asking the public to not ignore the red flags. If someone's behavior towards you is fixated, obsessive, unwanted, and repeated, this is stalking," says Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher.

Key Takeaways

• Online stalking is a growing concern, with 1.3% of the US population affected in 2019.
• Signs of online stalking include excessive messaging, unusual patterns, inappropriate gifts, and suspicious knowledge.
• To avoid online stalkers, be cautious of excessive messaging, monitor social media activity, and report suspicious behavior.
• Document all incidents of unwanted contact, block the stalker, and seek support from authorities and loved ones.
• Stalking can take many forms, including cyberbullying, doxxing, and catfishing, and can lead to severe consequences.