What Is Cyber Stalking?

Cyber stalking is a broad based term that can refer to the online enticement of children; vulgar or threatening messages; slanderous information; or repeated, unwanted messages.

In plain and simple terms, cyber stalking it is a form of online harassment that is done over the Internet rather then physical stalking.

However, do not be mislead into thinking that cyber stalking harmless because it happens in the virtual world. It's not.

Cyber Stalking can be extremely dangerous and frightening for anyone, and especially so if you are a child or teen. the anonymity provided the Internet provides a stalker with a sense of power and impunity that cannot be matched in the physical world.

And as a result, the cyber stalker often takes their actions to the extreme because they do not feel they can be caught and/or punished.

What to do if you or your child is a victim of a cyber stalker:

First, you or your children should never respond to any of the messages or threats you might receive directly. Doing so will only inflame the problem and could lead to more drastic or dangerous actions by the stalker.

Instead, contact the local law enforcement immediately. Make sure that you save any instant messages, chat messages or e-mails that you received from the cyber stalker. Law enforcement will need these to take action in order to help protect you and your family.

However, oftentimes teams are reluctant to involve their parents when they are being victimized by a cyber stalker or cyber bully.

But the fact is that children and teens just do not have the emotional maturity to deal with the psychological anxiety that these sort of attacks can generate.

Therefore, if you have teens in the house who are being victimized by a cyber stalker, encourage them to report these kinds of incidents to you immediately. And if not you, then to another trusted adult like a teacher or school councilor who can decide if the online service provider or the authorities should be contacted.


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