With the growing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace stalking someone has become a whole lot easier. At one time the stalker would have to physically follow their victims every move to find out where they are going, who they are going with etc. Whereas if they have them added on Facebook they can access their lives from the comfort of their own homes.
I guess that cyber-stalking is somewhat of a lesser "big-deal," because the majority of people who use social networking sites have at some point looked at someones profile just to "see". I mean a lot of people would be embarrassed if the people who's profiles they have been looking at actually found out. I know people who on MySpace have actually been able to hack into other people comments even when they have them hidden. And a recent survey suggests that half of Britons have used social networking sites to stalk their exes.
A lot of cyber stalking is in fact curiosity, I mean if you came across the page of a person you knew along time ago you would probably check to see how they are getting along, what they're up to, are they more successful than you etc. But does that count as stalking? If a person has posted personal information about themselves online and not set their page to "Private" aren't they inviting people to look?
The main problem with social networking sites is that they, in a way, make cyber-stalking very easy. Facebook tells everyone added on someones friends list everything they do known as a "live feed;" this includes when their relationship status changes, what they write on someones "wall" or when they comment someones picture. And on the site Twitter members actually have to "follow" other members to find out what they are doing. With Twitter you can change what you are doing from your mobile phone, so a potential stalker wouldn't even need to leave their home to know what you are doing every second of the day.
Although if someone was to hack in to your page this would be a totally different thing. They would have access to your private messages and might even be able to gather enough information about you to commit identity fraud, or to know enough about your personal habits to find out when you're alone or vulnerable. A study in American gathered that 7 in every 500 people over the age of eighteen had been stalked in a 12 month period.
It's not just social networking sites a study suggests that 83% of all cyber stalking cases involve email, and 35% used Instant Messages. At one time stalkers used letters and phone calls to harrass their victims now they use emails and instant messages to creep into every part of their lives. Stalkers have even used listening devices and digital cameras to keep tabs on their victims, although this is very extreme.
People don't just cyber-stalk because they have sinister motives. It can be useful; especially when dating someone new. You can find out a lot of information about a person by searching their name on Google or stalking their MySpace profile for a few days; but this takes the "mystery" out of meeting someone new. Has our addiction to cyber-stalking ruined romance?
In the end cyber-stalking is a habit which will most likely be here to stay. With so many social networking sites it is hard for a normal person not to feel tempted to check on their ex and easy for someone with more sinister motives to gather information. If you don't want someone to know your details don't post them online.
References
Over Half of Britons Stalk Their Exes
Hardwidge, B. (2009). Over half of Britons stalk their exes online. Available: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2009/02/19/half-of-britons-stalk-exes/1. Last accessed 23rd February 2009.
Updated stalking law awaits gov.'s signature
Morton, R. (2009). Updated stalking law awaits gov.'s signature . Available: http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0218/front_page/005.html. Last accessed 23rd February 2009.
Stalking & Fear
Harris, L. (2009). Stalking and Fear. Available: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/lynscircle/archives/162192.asp?from=blog_last3. Last accessed 23rd February 2009.
Love In Your Twenties
Gordon, B. (2009). Love In Your Twenties. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/4592742/Love-in-your-twenties.html. Last accessed 23rd February 2009.
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