Cyberstalking

[000Ronald]

I was cruizing around Youtube the other day when I came across this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwBhSh11Nw]. I had no idea there were people like this on the internet, or that it was possible to do some of the things described. I stopped, thought for a second, and thought about what I would do in a situation like this (concluding that it would get very ugly very quickly; I don't put up with crap from anyone, internet or no). Luckily, I have an intelegent forum to discuss this topic, so I chose to use that instead.

In so many word, I have som questions for the rest of you concerning cyberstalking. I'd encourage you to watch the video first, but it's not mandatory; I don't belive in forcing people to do things. Also, it's 45 minutes long.

1) Have you had any expirience with cyber-stalkers?
2) What is the worst expirience you have heard of with cyberstalkers, outside of this video?
3) Were you aware it could get as bad as was described in the video?
4) Why do you belive law enforcement doesn't take this as seriously as other crimes?
5) What do you think it will take for law enforcement to deal with this? (side question: what do you think the reprocussions would be for the internet in general if they were to do this?)
6) Do you belive (preferably after watching the video) that cyberstalking is a serious problem? (side question, when did you formulate the opinion you have now?)
7) What can we do (as internet users) to prevent this from happening and
8) What acions should you take if someone does begin cyber-stalking you?

I just want to see what the rest of you think. Apologies if this is a rotten topic to discuss, or if I've brought up some bad memories.

 

[Chiasm]

I think in general its one of those issues where you trust and like someone online,Which also happens in real life only to find out your new friend turns out to be a lunatic. It never seems to work out where at the start you know there a lunatic only about 4-5 months do they turn insane. Though I will admit I think online stalkers are much easier to deal with compared to real life where they can and will follow you to school for no good reason.

For myself if I think a person I met online is digging and becoming far to aggressive and demanding and stalking I get there number then just have my friend call them, For some odd reason when they think I am a older Russian male they stop obsessing so much, This has happened only a few times and more so with ex guildes you meet in MMO's so its far more casual luckily so they have little personal information.

Of course the big issue is usually you know the person online for a year or so and like them and so you do talk to them and they do know information on you so when they do go lunatic then they do know where you live and can very quickly take it into real life.I am happy It has never got to this level for me but I know friends who have had it get to this level.

 

[PurpleRain]

I cyberstalk Larenxis, but she stalks me back. So it's a mutual-stalking-extraviganza!

I actually haven't had any experiences with cyber-stalking nor bullying on the net. The thing I find on the net is your anonomous state. Unless it's something like Myspace where you shout out all your details to the world, then I'd find it odd to stalk, or be stalked, by an avatar.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i think a lot of the cyberstalking and such is a bit overblown, sure it can happen but i doubt it's not as much.

when i hear "oh i have a cyberstalker" i usually say "put them on ignore" and most of the time the person doesn't or is like "oh they evade it" or some other stupid excuse like that

now to answer the questions

1) Have you had any expirience with cyber-stalkers?

just losers on irc trying to be tough

2) What is the worst expirience you have heard of with cyberstalkers, outside of this video?

none, ignore works great

3) Were you aware it could get as bad as was described in the video?

sorry didn't watch the video

4) Why do you belive law enforcement doesn't take this as seriously as other crimes?

cause frankly it's not that serious, your life is not in danger in anyway, the person is on the internet and unless you've posted your personal information what damage can they do to you?

5) What do you think it will take for law enforcement to deal with this? (side question: what do you think the reprocussions would be for the internet in general if they were to do this?)

not much and what's the point, you can easily ignore them, ban/ignore lists are there for a reason

6) Do you belive (preferably after watching the video) that cyberstalking is a serious problem? (side question, when did you formulate the opinion you have now?)

not really, mostly it's over the net and what damage is it really doing to you?

7) What can we do (as internet users) to prevent this from happening and

nothing it will always happen, just don't jump to conclusions

8) What acions should you take if someone does begin cyber-stalking you?

ignore them

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

Lol I stalked a girl from a game I played a few years ago.(More or less a few googled searches lol.)

Found her again and we have a happy friendship again.

(Google searching can also be very entertaining.(Especially when porn randomly pops up.)

 

[Krystallkitty]

1) Have you had any expirience with cyber-stalkers?

yes yes i have.

2) What is the worst expirience you have heard of with cyberstalkers, outside of this video?

Well, they got my real name far before i felt comfotable sharing even my first name with the community that i was a part of and they started getting pretty scary... but thats not as bad as my friend who had someone start messaging her on myspace with pictures of her that were not posted on the internet.... and it got worse in that situation.

3) Were you aware it could get as bad as was described in the video?

i couldnt watch the whole thing... but thats not really so bad compared to what happened to my friend

4) Why do you belive law enforcement doesn't take this as seriously as other crimes?

because lolinternet.

5) What do you think it will take for law enforcement to deal with this? (side question: what do you think the reprocussions would be for the internet in general if they were to do this?)

uh... pretty much privacy would be gone

6) Do you belive (preferably after watching the video) that cyberstalking is a serious problem? (side question, when did you formulate the opinion you have now?)

uh... see above. i don't think it's a common problem but it can be serious

7) What can we do (as internet users) to prevent this from happening and

not much other than not post your adress and real name everywhere?

8) What acions should you take if someone does begin cyber-stalking you?
uh... don't talk to them anymore?

 

[PurpleRain]

Cyberstalking's not that hard to control. Stop talking to them. Ignore. Then if things somehow get illegal or out of control, your computer has all the evidence needed for the Police to step in.

 

[Xhumed]

I've never been cyberstalked, just stalked (yes, I mean In Real Life.)