Stalkers are individuals who exhibit a pattern of obsessive behavior that involves following, harassing, or threatening another person. Stalking can take many forms, including physical, online, or through social media. Stalkers can be strangers, acquaintances, or former intimate partners, and their behavior can range from mild to severe.
Stalking can be a dangerous behavior that can lead to physical harm, emotional trauma, and even death. Stalkers can be unpredictable, and their behavior can escalate quickly. They may engage in threatening or intimidating behavior, such as sending unwanted gifts, making unwanted phone calls, or showing up uninvited at a person's home or workplace.
Social media has become an increasingly popular platform for stalking. Social media stalkers may use a variety of tactics to monitor a person's online activity, such as sending friend requests, creating fake profiles, or tracking a person's location through their posts. Social media stalkers may also engage in cyberbullying, spreading rumors or negative comments, and sharing personal information without consent.
Stalkers may use various tactics to stalk someone on social media. Here are some common behaviors that social media stalkers may exhibit:
Sending multiple friend requests: Stalkers may send multiple friend requests to their target on various social media platforms in an attempt to connect with them.
Sending private messages: Stalkers may send private messages to their target, even after being ignored or blocked. They may also create multiple accounts to send messages from.
Commenting or liking posts: Stalkers may comment or like every post or photo their target shares, often leaving inappropriate or threatening messages.
Posting their own content: Stalkers may post their own content about their target, including photos and videos, without their permission.
Monitoring their target's activity: Stalkers may constantly monitor their target's online activity, including their posts, comments, and messages.
Creating fake accounts: Stalkers may create fake accounts to stalk their target or to gather information about them.
Tracking their target's location: Stalkers may use social media to track their target's location or to gather information about their daily routines.
It is important to note that stalking is a serious crime and can have dangerous consequences. If you feel that you are being stalked on social media, it is important to report it to the authorities and seek help from a trusted friend, family member, or professional.
Here are some major cases of stalkers on social networks:
Rebecca Schaeffer - In 1989, actress Rebecca Schaeffer was shot and killed by an obsessed fan named Robert John Bardo, who had been stalking her for several years. Bardo obtained Schaeffer's address by hiring a private investigator and using information from her driver's license, which he had obtained illegally. Bardo was eventually arrested and convicted of first-degree murder.
Miley Cyrus - In 2009, a man named Mark McLeod was arrested for stalking and threatening to kill singer Miley Cyrus on social media. McLeod had been sending Cyrus graphic and disturbing messages on her Twitter account, and had also threatened to show up at her concerts.
Justin Bieber - In 2012, a man named Dana Martin was arrested for plotting to kidnap and castrate singer Justin Bieber. Martin had become obsessed with Bieber and recruited two other men to help him carry out the plan. Martin and his accomplices were arrested before they could carry out the kidnapping.
PewDiePie - In 2018, a man named Ryan Haley was arrested for stalking YouTube personality PewDiePie. Haley had been sending PewDiePie disturbing messages on social media and had also visited his home in an attempt to meet him.
Alyssa Milano - In 2020, a man named Justin Massler was arrested for stalking actress Alyssa Milano on social media. Massler had been sending Milano disturbing messages on Twitter and had also created multiple fake accounts to stalk her. He was eventually arrested and charged with stalking and harassment.
These cases demonstrate the dangerous consequences of social media stalking and the importance of taking such behavior seriously. If you or someone you know is being stalked on social media, it is important to seek help and report it to the authorities.
Here are some suggested books and articles about social media stalkers:
"Stalking in the Age of Social Media" - University of Southern California article that defines stalking as unwanted or obsessive behavior toward an individual with the intent to frighten or coerce.
"You All Grow Up and Leave Me" - Book by Piper Weiss that tells the story of Gary Wilensky, a tennis coach who tried to kidnap a former student.
"The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward" - Book by Britt Frank, a psychotherapist, who discusses stalking on social media and how this practice can have positive aspects.
These works can help to better understand the obsessive behavior of stalkers on social networks and the possible consequences of this type of harassment.
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