Science & Tech
Cyberstalking: A Real Crime with Real Victims
Cyberstalking is a serious crime with scary statistics, and can have serious consequences on the victim's emotional and mental health. Despite cyberstalking affecting nearly 2.5 million Americans each year, it is not discussed as often as other crimes. That is because it is a relatively new concept, but most experts agree that cyber stalking always contains some or all of these characteristics:
* Stalking is done with the assistance of technology (typically the internet)
* It is done to make a person feel afraid, threatened, or worried about their safety
* It invades a person’s privacy
* The stalker monitors the victim’s behavior, threatens them, or makes unwanted advances
* The behavior is unwanted
Cyberstalkers engage in several stalking tactics, all aimed at making their victims feel embarrassed, harassed, threatened, or afraid. The most common are:
* Catfishing, or pretending to be someone else online to get close to a victim – often with the goal of obtaining private information or photos
* Doxing, or the act of publishing private information online
* Monitoring their victim’s whereabouts using social media check-ins and location tags
* Hijacking their victim’s webcam
* Sending unwanted messages
* Hacking online accounts
* Slandering the person online
*Contacting people close to the victim and making threats
In the United States, cyberstalking is a criminal offence. Slander, harassment, and anti-stalking legislation laws govern cyberstalking. This crime is also covered in the Violence Against Women Act and other federal acts.
If you or someone you know is a victim, the first thing you should do is contact police. Gather evidence, including screenshots, emails, text messages, and anything else that your stalker may have sent you. While police may not have dealt with cybercrimes well in the past, a growing number of departments have officers who specialize in this area.
You should also immediately change all passwords and enable two-step authentication on all accounts. Monitor your online activity as well as your email accounts for the next few weeks, making notes of any suspicious activity.
Cyberstalking is a terrifying crime; one that anyone can fall victim to. Learning more about it, and following the tips above, is the best way to keep yourself safe and secure while browsing online.