It should go without saying that victims of cyber stalking can experience tremendous mental suffering and find their mental health deteriorating rapidly. Often, even those in the close circle of the victim don’t notice changes in their behaviour until it is too late.
According to Tech Jury: “Victims of cyberbullying are 1.9 times more likely to commit suicide.”
It is easy to find documentaries about cybercrime and cyber stalking on today’s streaming service platforms, however, it seems no one takes this criminal activity seriously until it happens to them.
Finding out if you are being stalked online is even more challenging than figuring out if someone is monitoring you offline.
Let’s discuss the following:
– Who could be an online stalker
– Why cyber stalkers stalk
– Types of cyberstalking
– Comparing offline and online stalking
– What should you do if you believe you are a target of cyber stalking?
Different tactics can be used in cyber stalking.
Cyber stalking is happening across all digital gadgets, and for younger generations cyberstalking is mostly conducted on mobile phone devices.
Cyber stalking is a relatively new identified criminal activity; however, we can certainly draw parallels with stalking.
According to AIC (Australian Institute of Criminology, No166 Cyberstalking) “Cyberstalking is analogous to traditional forms of stalking in that it incorporates persistent behaviours that instil apprehension and fear”.
It’s possible that someone is quietly gathering data or that they’ve made contact. Online harassment, slander, libel and slander are all forms of cyber stalking.
Private messages or emails from people you don’t know could be sent to you. It’s possible that you’ll discover that someone has hacked into and used your online accounts. If you have your phone with you, someone may be using spyware to monitor the GPS tracker, allowing them to always know where you are.
Who could be an online stalker?
Anyone could be a stalker and the reasons for stalking someone online can vary.
Some people experience stalking from strangers, while other do so from acquaintances.
A cyber stalker could be an abusive spouse or an ex-partner.
A cyber stalker might be an overbearing parent, it can be a former co-worker or even a stranger.
The majority of cyberstalking victims already know the individual who is pursuing them.
People who are well known and famous are more likely to face stalking from strangers.
The reason why we don’t have a profile for a “cyber stalker” and its modus operandi is simple. Everyone feels safe behind their screens, believing no one will discover them and bring them to justice.
Full article here: https://www.mariobekes.com.au/cyber-stalking-what-is-it-and-how-to-prevent-it/
