Facebook has opened new avenues for stalking and bullying. Many people are asking themselves where to draw the line between public and private information, especially if someone is taking an undue interest in their affairs.
Inappropriate Behavior on Facebook
Facebook has privacy settings whereby only friends of a person can access their photos and information. It also offers the facility to block someone completely. Generally speaking, Facebook is a wonderful tool that has linked old friends and family members around the world. However, problems arise if someone starts to use it inappropriately. Signs of improper use include the following:
- Obsessive and persistent negative commenting on another person’s updates or photographs.
- Unjustified public criticism of a person’s work.
- Repeatedly going through a person’s comments and links.
- Obsessive referrals to events that happened months ago and are no longer relevant.
- Attempts to involve other people in attacking a person on Facebook.
- Contacting the person’s employer and undermining their work via Facebook.
- Posting abusive comments or arguing with other people on the person’s Facebook page.
- Stalking on Facebook is generally done by someone known to the victim or they would not have been added as a friend.
- These types of people are more of a nuisance than dangerous.
Much of this type of behavior can be grouped under the label of cyber-stalking or cyber-bullying.
Obsessions and Stalking on Social Networking Sites
Stalking can also be classified as harassment and may appear at various levels on Facebook and other social networking sites. It is never wanted or welcomed by the victim and commonly causes fear and frustration. Psychological distress also results and is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heart, tiredness and nausea.
If individual actions are analyzed, they may seem harmless and nothing to be concerned about. However, when the commenting and following is excessive and ongoing, the sum total of the attention can be classed as cyber-stalking and harassment.
How to Handle Harassment on Facebook
The simplest way to handle obsessive behavior on Facebook is to block the perpetrator so they cannot access your profile. Unfortunately, this may not be enough to stop them, especially if they have access to your email address, mobile number or other internet sites where you have a presence. In some cases, ignoring them completely can be helpful although it might make matters worse.
If the perpetrator shows no sign of stopping the harassment, consider asking a person with some authority to approach them. This could be the police, a lawyer, a church leader or a businessman.
Changing cell phone numbers, home numbers and email addresses can help in cutting back the abuse. It is also important to never engage in an argument with the stalker. They may try to shift all the blame back onto you, leaving you confused and upset.
Harassment by an obsessive cyber-stalker can be overwhelming but there are ways to limit the abuse. The most important thing to remember is that their behavior is not appropriate, not right and that it is essential to take action against it.
References:
Social Networking Sites Jeopardize Personal Security. PRWeb.com. Accessed August 17, 2011
What is a cyber stalker (cyber bully) and how to deal with them. Searchwarp.com. Accessed August 17, 2011
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
