Cyberstalking

Reasons for Cyberstalking

Stalking has been viewed by some theorists as aberrant behavior involving obsessive behavior or personality disorder. Feminists, however, view stalking and cyberstalking as related to sexism, a means to gain power and control over a victim. Others believe stalking has a long history among the general public and is rooted in the romantic tradition in which a reluctant female must be wooed from “no” to “yes” by a persistent suitor. In any case, cyberstalking is an extension of the traditional stalking methods of following, making telephone calls, and writing letters. As with stalking in the physical world, cyberstalking can result from an attempt to initiate a relationship, to repair a relationship, or to threaten and traumatize a person. Recent research, however, found differences between real-world and cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is more likely to involve strangers and to take place over a shorter period of time than real-world stalking. In addition, cyberstalkers are more likely not to know their victims, to have multiple victims, and to have no history of criminality, substance abuse, or restraining orders.

The Internet medium itself may contribute to cyberstalking. The online environment can promote a false sense of intimacy and misunderstanding of intentions. People may feel in proximity to each other when they are online despite the actual physical distance involved. In addition, emotionally intensified interactions often develop in online communication. The limited nonverbal, historical, and contextual information available in online contexts may enable potential cyberstalkers to develop idealized perceptions of those with whom they [Page 164]communicate online and to misjudge the intentions of the messages they receive. In addition, the relative anonymity, the lack of social status cues, and the propensity for disinhibited behavior in the online environment may promote greater risk taking and asocial behavior by a greater number of people. The availability of free email and Web site space, as well as the anonymity provided by some chat rooms and newsgroups, has contributed to the increase of cyberstalking as a form of harassment. Finally, the ease of using a search engine to find someone's alias, real name, or email address contributes to cyberstalking.

...