Cyberstalking involves using the Internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass another person. The majority of stalking victims – 80% — report their stalker uses technology to monitor, contact, threaten, and damage their reputation, according to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center.
Am I being cyberstalked?
Cyberstalkers use a variety of digital tactics to harass and intimidate their victims. If you think you are being cyberstalked, consider the examples below from Verywell Mind:
- Send threatening, controlling, or lewd messages or emails to the victim
- Post rude, offensive, or suggestive comments online about the victim
- Create fake accounts to follow the victim on social media
- Hack into the victim’s online accounts
- Post or distribute real or fake photos of the victim
- Track the victim’s movements (online and in real life) by installing tracking devices
For a more complete list, visit Verywell Mind.
How can I protect myself from cyberstalking?
While you may not be able to prevent cyberstalking completely, there are things you can do reduce the likelihood of it happening.
- Protect your digital accounts. Use strong passwords, change passwords frequently, log-out of your digital accounts every time, and keep your devices in your possession or secured at all times.
- Secure your social media presence. Use generic screen names, disable location settings, use the strongest privacy settings, and only accept friend requests from people you know.
- Take action against the cyberstalker. Block the person on all of your accounts, take screenshots and save evidence, file a complaint with the police, and report the stalker to the site they’re using to cyberstalk you.
Cyberstalking is just one example of stalking. For more information about stalking and how to protect yourself, visit our blog. January is National Stalking Awareness Month. Please call our 24-hour crisis line at (317)920-9320 if you need help.
