Cyberstalking: what steps to take when you become a victim of online stalking?

Cyberstalking is online stalking – that is, when someone stalks you, writes offensive comments, sends strange messages or tries to get information about you without your permission. It can be stressful and very uncomfortable, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

What does it do and who is cyberstalking?

Cyberstalking is stalking, but instead of stalking on the streets, it happens online. Imagine someone peering into your screen at every turn, checking what you’re doing, what you’re typing and where you’re logging in. It could be a stranger, a former acquaintance, or sometimes even someone close to you who takes too much interest in your life. Such a cyberstalker may inundate you with messages, write comments under your posts, try to get information about you or even try to control your online activities. Worse, he or she may even impersonate you and post things that look like you wrote them.

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This stalking often starts innocently enough – someone sends one or two messages that you don’t respond to. But then comes a third, a fourth, and eventually a whole set that you ignore, and yet this person doesn’t stop. The cyberstalker is not satisfied with the lack of response; he or she acts further, more and more insistently. He or she may start calling you names, threatening you, or tracking all your online activities. For some it’s just fun, for others it’s a way to vent their frustration, but for the victim it can be very stressful, disturbing and even frightening.

Cyberstalking, however, is not just about news and comments. A stalker may try to hack into your account to get your private data – your photos, messages and even login credentials. He may threaten to make something compromising public or try to extract information that he can use against you. In extreme cases, cyberstalking is combined with online disclosure of the victim’s personal information, such as home address, workplace or phone number, which can be very dangerous.

Thanks to the availability of the Internet, such a stalker can stalk his victim almost without restriction wherever you are – at home, on vacation, or even at work. The cyberstalker has a full arsenal of tools: messages, comments, fictitious accounts, social media groups, and even special programs and applications for tracking online activity. For him, every piece of information about you is another way to control you, influence your life and even scare you.

What steps should you take when you become a victim?

If someone is stalking you online, it’s important not to ignore the problem. Cyberstalking is no joke, and your safety and peace of mind are paramount. In such a situation, it’s good to act step by step and know what you can do to take control of the situation. Here are some simple actions that can help you.

1. collect evidence

Before you act, start collecting anything that might be evidence that someone is stalking you. Save messages, take screenshots of comments, save emails. Even if it seems unnecessary, these materials may come in handy, especially if you wanted to report the matter to the police. Remember that even these small pieces of the puzzle form a whole that shows that a problem really exists.

2. block and report the stalker

Sometimes blocking the person who is harassing you is enough to stop their actions. Most services, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, have options for blocking and reporting users. It’s also a good idea to report such people to the site’s administration, as they may impose additional restrictions or delete the account of such a stalker.

3. take care of the privacy of your accounts

Review your privacy settings on each account. Often we don’t even realize how much information about us is visible to the public – who can see your posts, photos and even your friends list. Limit what people you don’t know can see, and hide information that can be used against you.

4. avoid contact

If a stalker is trying to get you off balance, he can count on you to respond. Don’t. Any response can only spur his actions. Often ignoring the message is better than getting into discussions that lead nowhere.

5. report the matter to the police

Cyberstalking is a crime, so if the situation is serious, don’t hesitate to report it to the police. The evidence collected – messages, screenshots – can be useful in the investigation. Police have ways to track down the perpetrator, even if he or she is operating from anonymous accounts.

Remember that you are not alone

Being a victim of cyberstalking can be very difficult and overwhelming. It’s easy to feel alone, especially when you feel like someone is constantly watching you and trying to harm you. In such moments, it is important for you to know that you are not alone in this. Many people have experienced a similar situation and have found a way to regain control of their lives and a sense of security.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Sometimes talking to someone close to you is enough to make you feel better. Friends, family and even acquaintances can support you emotionally by reminding you that you have people around you that you can rely on. There are also organizations that specialize in helping victims of online stalking – they offer psychological and legal support. If the situation is serious, you can count on the help of professionals who have experience in such cases.

Remember, too, that what happens on the Internet may affect your life, but it doesn’t define you. Cyberstalking is a difficult experience, but you can deal with it. Sometimes recovering from it takes time, patience and support from others, but it is possible. Take action step by step, seek help be firm and don’t let the stalker have control over your life.