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Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone. This term is used interchangeably with online harassment and online abuse.

Since a cyberstalker cannot present a direct physical threat to their victim, they instead follow their victim's previous trails to learn more about them, occasionally delivering verbal or emotional threats. Although they lack the immediate danger of real stalkers, the anonymity offered by the Internet also allows the stalker to put themselves in considerably less danger, making it a safer and so more common activity to engage in. Although cyberstalking seems relatively harmless, it often has psychological and emotional impact on the victim, and occasionally elevates to real-life stalking.

Cyberstalking is becoming a common tactic in racism, and other expressions of bigotry and hate.

Cyberstalkers target and harass their victims via websites, chat rooms, discussion forums and email. The availability of free email and website space, as well as the anonymity provided by these chatrooms and forums, have contributed to the increase of cyberstalking as a form of harassment.

The first cyberstalking law in the US went into effect in 1999 in the state of California. Other states include prohibition against cyberstalking in their harassement legislation.

See also

• Cyberspace
• Cyberterrorism
• Hate group

External links

• The National Center for Victims of Crime
• Cyber-Stalking.net
• CyberAngels
• Working to Halt Online Abuse

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