Beyond the screen: how technology opens the door to unwanted attention

With today’s technology, it is becoming so much easier to find people from across the world. Maybe you want to connect with a person you went to high school with, a potential employer or even a classmate you’re working with on a project. Apps like Instagram, Snapchat, Be Real and Life360 now allow people to see where friends or even strangers are at any given time. With all the access this gives someone, what if it was used with unhealthy intentions?

January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on how we can understand the signs of stalking and how we can prevent stalking within our community. Stalking can happen to anyone, regardless of age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status. The individuals who perpetrate stalking can be anyone, too: strangers, friends, family or peers. Oftentimes stalking is portrayed as physical harassment, such as showing up to one’s work unwanted or waiting for someone at their residence hall, but with advancements in technology, this isn’t the only way stalking can present itself.

“We live in a digital world and students are constantly navigating all types of roles and relationships,” Nicole Gonzalez, Program Manager for the ASU Sexual and Relationship Violence Program, said. “The ASU community works hard to meet students where they are at, not only in the classroom, but also throughout their lives. Therefore, educating and supporting students to learn about cyberstalking, what it looks like, and what resources are available if they experience it is of utmost importance to our university leaders. Stalking of all types can unfortunately have a lasting effect on an individual and ASU is ready to respond and support if needed.”

What is cyberstalking?

Cyberstalking is unwanted attention or contact that occurs over the internet that makes someone fearful or worried of their own safety. Cyberstalking is not something to be conflated with cyberbullying, the act of repeatedly causing harm to another through online means. When someone is stalking an individual online, this often includes the power and influence of information and knowledge, at the expense of the person being stalked. But there are some similarities between these two acts: psychological harm to the victim, fear as a central factor and the presence online.

Today, cyberstalking can happen in a plethora of ways. Someone may be stalked on social media apps like Instagram or Snapchat, location tracking apps like FindMyFriends or Life360, or through messages, emails and phone calls. Stalking can include, but is not limited to:

• Leaving harmful messages on social media posts
• Spreading rumors about someone, often in response to not receiving attention
• Creating fake profiles to message and follow others
• Hacking into someone’s phone or computer to track activity
• Impersonating someone online to ruin their reputation
• Calling or messaging friends of someone to get in contact with them
• Calling someone’s employer to see if they are working

While this list does include a lot of behaviors under the cyberstalking umbrella, it is not an exhaustive list. It is important to know that if someone is using an online platform or program where they feel threatened, fearful for their safety, or generally at unease, they may be experiencing cyberstalking. Some other warning signs of cyberstalking could be an individual knowing information about you that wasn’t explicitly shared, someone insisting on you sharing your location with them, or someone who keeps very frequent tabs on you from your social media accounts. Noticing any of these signs is a good time to reach out to someone for help. 

The impact of stalking

The effects stalking has on a person can be significant. Victims of stalking may experience fear, humiliation, anger or depression. Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder may be experienced, as well as suicidal ideation. Because of the pervasiveness of these feelings, victims and survivors of stalking should be able to reach out for help and access resources they might need. 

Spotting the signs of stalking can be difficult, especially if the behavior is romanticized or brushed off by others. When a friend, family member, or peer shows the signs of experiencing cyberstalking, it is our Sun Devil responsibility to call out the behaviors and offer resources. Not all of us are trained on how to support a victim or survivor, but we can all make a difference by learning a few steps on how to offer our support.

How to support a victim of stalking

If someone discloses their victimization, we should offer our empathy and understanding before judgment and bias. View the Brene Brown on Empathy video to learn more about empathetic responses. This may be the first time someone discusses their experience with cyberstalking, so being  open-minded is vital. We might not know the best thing to say in that moment, but that’s okay! “I don’t know what to say right now, but I am so appreciative of you reaching out,” or “Thank you for telling me. I have resources if you are wanting and ready to talk to someone who can help” are a great first start. Give the space and control to the victim-survivor to find the path that works best for them.

Stalking is common. 4.5% of ASU students have reported experiencing some form of stalking in the past 12 months according to the American College Health Association (2024). If you are experiencing stalking, harassment, or any form of violence, know that you are not alone. There are resources and support available for you today.

To find more resources for people who are experiencing stalking, visit Stalking Awareness on sexualviolenceprevention.asu.edu. 

How you can help today

Chances are, you know someone who has experienced stalking, whether in-person or online. Here are some things you can do now to help prevent stalking and get the conversation around stalking started:

• Tell someone what you’ve learned about stalking
• Share resources that are available to the ASU community
• Call out the signs of stalking in friends, family and peers using the empathetic responses you learned about
• Understand how stalking is often romanticized in media (You, Twilight)

Stalking is not an individual problem; it’s a community one, and everyone has a part to play. Know that you can do something to make an impact today.

ASU resources

• Visit ASU Counseling Services to learn more about counseling and crisis support on campus.
• Consult with an ASU Victim-Survivor Advocate by calling 480-727-5167 or emailing victimservices@asu.edu.
• Reach out to EMPACT’s 24-hour ASU-dedicated crisis hotline at 480-921-1006.