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Identifying Cyberstalking
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Fact Sheet 1: Identifying Cyberstalking
www.cyberstalking.info
Not every dispute that occurs online can be described in terms of cyberstalking.
An offensive e-mail message or an argument in a chat room may cause a great
deal of upset but does not necessarily indicate the start of a campaign of
harassment.
Identifying Cyberstalking
Here are some tips to help you decide whether or not a given course of action
constitutes cyberstalking:
• Try to remain calm and objective when assessing whether or not a person’s
actions constitute harassment. Name-calling, for example, may be just the
result of someone losing his/her temper and may not indicate genuine
harassment.
• Arguments and other online incidents can be very upsetting so try to have a
“cooling off” period of a day or so in order to let your emotions settle. During
this time, avoid using the Internet and try to focus on activities that you find
relaxing. This will help you to assess your situation more objectively.
• When you feel you can be objective, think about your experiences and
whether or not they indicate harassment. In particular, consider carefully if
any form of threat has been made, or if there has been the suggestion that
there will be further incidents directed towards you.
• If you are not sure whether or not you are experiencing cyberstalking, you can
try asking the opinion of someone you trust, such as a spouse or close friend.
• The Cyberstalking Info web site has an online questionnaire that can be used
to help you determine if you have become a cyberstalking victim. The
questionnaire is very short and takes only a few moments to complete.
Although no questionnaire can ever be entirely accurate, you may find it helps
you to assess your situation more objectively. You can access the
questionnaire via the Cyberstalking Info web site (www.cyberstalking.info).
You should take action immediately if there is any threat of violence or you feel in
physical danger.
Cyberstalking As A Crime
One way of assessing your own situation is by considering whether or not a
crime has taken place.
Remember that cyberstalking is not a crime in many countries. Even in countries
with anti-stalking legislation, some behaviours may not be seen as illegal.
Identifying Cyberstalking
© Cyberstalking.Info, 2004 - 2007 2
In many of the countries that have anti-stalking laws, a number of specific
conditions must be met before it is considered that a criminal act has taken place.
In general, these are the conditions that must be met:
• There have been at least two incidents.
• All of the incidents have been carried out by the same person (or his agents).
• The person who carried out the incidents had the intention of causing distress
or fear.
• The incidents have caused the victim to feel distress and/or fear.
Thinking about these conditions may help you to decide if you are experiencing a
genuine case of cyberstalking.
Cyberstalking & Young People
Young people may sometimes avoid telling their parents that they are being
harassed or have been approached online by a stranger. For this reason, parents
should be alert for signs that a child may need help.
A number of organizations have produced lists of warning signs that may indicate
a child is being harassed or sexually abused via the Internet.
The following items are derived from a number of organizations, including
WiredKids, CyberAngels, NetScams, SafetyEd International, AnswerPoint.Org
and the FBI:
• Increased telephone use, especially long distance calls.
• Receiving unusual telephone calls, especially from adults.
• Receiving gifts through the mail.
• The young person suddenly appears to have a relatively large amount of
money.
• Signs of Internet addiction, for example becoming unusually upset when
asked to finish using the computer.
• Unusual patterns of Internet use, especially late at night or at times when
other people are not around.
• A desire to be alone when using chat rooms.
• The young person begins to use a headset with their computer in order to
make voice conversations more private.
• Concealing the screen when another person passes by.
• Use of inappropriate vocabulary, especially the use of sexual terms.
• Signs of increased aggression or depression.
• Schoolwork begins to suffer.
• The young person begins to experience nightmares or starts to wet the bed.
• Pornography or other inappropriate materials are downloaded or stored on
the computer.
• Withdrawal from family or friends.
• The young person uses an Internet account belonging to someone else.
Identifying Cyberstalking
© Cyberstalking.Info, 2004 - 2007 3
Remember that the presence of some of these warning signs does not
necessarily indicate that a child is at risk. Note also that a child may show no sign
that he or she is being harassed or is in contact with a pedophile.
If you are uncertain whether or not a young person is at risk, always err on the
side of caution and take appropriate action immediately.
Further Information
Some of the information in this fact sheet has been adapted from the following
book: Bocij, P., 2004, Cyberstalking: harassment in the Internet age and how to
protect your family. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishing. (ISBN: 0-275-98118-5).
The book is available via the Greenwood Publishing Group web site
(www.greenwood.com) or via Amazon.
You can also find more information on cyberstalking online at
www.cyberstalking.info. This web site contains links to other Internet safety
organisations and also carries a range of articles.
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Although care has been taken to avoid errors, this document is provided “as is”. The author and Cyberstalking.Info do not
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this document entirely at your own risk.
