Cyber Stalking
Cyberstalking is when someone stalks, threatens or harasses another person online. The stalker does it to intimidate and to control another person. It can be a traumatizing and frightening experience.
Protect yourself
You can protecting yourself online by trying to keep any information about yourself confidential. Avoid giving out more information than necessary, and never tell someone your personal information, including:
- Full name(s) of you and/or your children
- Home addresses
- Names and addresses of your employer
- School where you or your children study
- Phone numbers (for home or work)
Giving out personal information online may lead to physical or verbal threats and harassment.
Don't destroy the evidence
Do not delete any threatening or harassing emails or messages, as it is evidence that may be used to find and convict the sender. Make note of their email address and information. Print out copies of messages previously sent to you. Give these messages and all the information you have to the police.
Know who you’re talking to
Even if you're being honest about yourself, other people online may not be telling the truth about who they are. An adult might be pretending to be a child, while chatting or sending messages to children or teens. By making you feel that the two of you have things in common, there is a greater chance that you'll be comfortable exchanging photos and information.
Online messaging
If you don't want to get messages from someone, then send the person a message saying that you don't want them to send any more messages or contact you in any way. This will let the person know that you didn't appreciate their behaviour and give them the chance to stop. If they continue, you should consider contacting the police.
If you receive any messages that make you uncomfortable but you don't feel threatened or the need to call the police, you can block that person from sending you any other messages. Many email, chat and message programs allow you block or filter messages and add people to an ignore list.
Emails at work
Companies should create corporate email policies, which outline the proper behaviour when sending email. Such policies should detail improper actions (e.g. sending threats, sending messages to someone who doesn't want to correspond with you or sending pornography or offensive material. Your company should stress that these actions are not tolerated, and how they discipline employees (such as termination of employment).