Online Dating

The Different Types of Online Harassment and What to Do about Them

As more people turn to social media platforms to voice their opinion, meet new people, look for potential life partners, or even just to socialize, the chances of experiencing online harassment continues to grow.

While teens and adolescents are most commonly targeted for cyberbullying, just over 40% of people responding to a Pew Research 2017 study reported they had been bullied or harassed online, and about 66% reported being aware of or witnessing harassment or cyberbullying behavior while online.

Not all types of online harassment are illegal, which makes it a challenge to attempt to get assistance from authorities to end the abuse. Even when the behavior is illegal, it can be difficult to find out who is behind the behavior and where they are located.

To get a clear picture of the types of online harassment and what to do if you or someone you know is a target, here is a snapshot of seven common issues seen on any online social platform. They are divided into those that are illegal, which means you can seek assistance in stopping the behavior, and those that aren’t illegal yet, but are no less devastating to experience.

Illegal Online Behaviors 

Cyberstalking
This is just like stalking and is considered illegal federally as well as in many state laws across the country. Cyberstalking involves literally tracking or following someone online and threatening, harassing, intimidating, or slandering someone. If you’re being stalked online, keep copies of all interactions, make sure you notify the person you want the behavior to stop, and notify the police. Block the person on any sites if possible. Do not attempt to get in touch with the individual or to meet with them; this could be extremely dangerous and put you at risk.

See also  97 Online Dating Questions to Get the Conversation Started

Doxing
Doxing can be difficult to prove, but it involves providing private information about a person online with the intent to harass and intimidate the individual. This information could include private information like non-public phone numbers, a person’s address, financial information, or even their online usernames linked to their actual name and information. The problem with proving this is a crime is the information cannot be available publicly, and the intent of releasing the information is to threaten, harass, and intimidate. Make sure to report this behavior to the police and check to make sure your passwords are changed, and any public information about you is removed from websites.

Swatting
Swatting involves using personal information about a person to call the police and report a crime or dangerous situation at the target’s home or business. This is most commonly noted with celebrities, but it is a crime. Using a VPN to shield your IP address and physical location online and report any concerns that this may happen to the police can help prevent the issue.

Posting Revenge Porn
After the breakup of a relationship, images, videos, or other media may be distributed by the unhappy partner as a way to get revenge on their ex. This is illegal, even if you willingly provided the material to the person for their private viewing while you were in the relationship. If you experience this, contact the administrator for the social media platform or site and have it taken down. Then contact the police and report the incident.

Impersonating Someone Online
Using someone else’s name or persona online is illegal. This impersonation is usually used to obtain information about you as you assume you’re talking to a trusted friend, business associate, or online acquaintance. If you’ve been the victim of someone impersonating you, report the incident to the platform administrator of the site you’re on, change your passwords, use two-factor authentication, and, if your reputation is being harmed, talk to an attorney.

See also  5 Reasons Online Dating Sites Are Better Than a Matchmaker

Non-Criminal Online Harassment 

Trolling
Trolling isn’t illegal, but it is used on most social media platforms. It involves unwelcome, abusive, or controversial comments that create conflict and it can be done by one person or a group of people working together. If you’re a victim of trolling block the people using this behavior, report it to the site administrator, and don’t engage in arguing or commenting to them or about them online. Going private with your page or posts can also eliminate this issue.

Catfishing
Catfishing is well known, and it involves creating a character and interacting with others on a purely fictitious basis. It’s not illegal, but it may be possible to take legal action if the person attempted to obtain money or other things of value from you. Don’t assume everyone you meet online is telling the truth. Be very cautious of people that seem too perfect or that are just the person you always wanted to meet; they may just be playing a part.

Regardless of the legal status of the specific online harassment you are experiencing, talk to your law enforcement agency. They can provide information on what you can do and how to act if these types of harassing behaviors continue to occur.

Sherry Gaba, LCSW is a Certified Transformation and Recovery Coach and the leading Psychotherapist on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab and Sex Addiction. Her book, “The Marriage and Relationship Junkie: Kicking your Obsession” is on sale for 50% off  from now until February 18, 2019.

She helps singles navigate the dating process to find the love of their lives. Take her quiz to find out if you’re a love addict, sign up for a 30-minute strategy session, or learn more about how to get over a break up. Sherry maintains a private practice in Westlake Village, and is a sought after online dating and relationship coach. For more information visit www.sherrygaba.com.

For more information visit www.sherrygaba.com or sign up today for Sherry’s online group coaching program for $19/month at https://wakeuprecovery.com/become-a-member-co/. 

Source link

See also  Simple Tips for Starting a Conversation Online

Related Articles

72 Comments

  1. Just desire to saay your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your postt is
    simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.

    Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to ksep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  2. My relatives every time say that I am killing my time
    here at web, but I know I am getting experience everyday by
    reading thes good articles or reviews.

  3. Awesome things here. I am very satisfied to look your post.
    Thanks so much and I am taking a look forward to touch you.
    Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  4. Your style is unique in comparison to other people I have read stuff from.
    Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I
    will just bookmark this site.

  5. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be just what I’m
    looking for. Do you offer guest writers
    to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind publishing
    a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you
    write concerning here. Again, awesome site!

  6. Fantastic post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little
    bit more. Thank you!

  7. You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve read
    through something like that before. So good to find someone with
    unique thoughts on this subject matter. Really..
    thank you for starting this up. This web site is
    something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  8. First of all I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question which I’d like
    to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I have had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my
    thoughts out. I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10
    to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to
    figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Cheers!

  9. Hi there! This is kind of off topic but I need
    some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult
    to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I
    can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my
    own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions?
    Thank you

  10. Kelebihan letak slot gacor hari ini terpopuler no 1 seterusnya yaitu tampak kejuaraan slot88 gacor surat kabar lagi mingguan. Sudah mutlak buat karet
    anggota patih spekulasi online situs slot gacor terpercaya
    untuk membaca layanan customer service live chat 24 pukul.
    Saat ini ada banyak posisi internet nan dapat Anda temukan menjumpai membayar hajat game Anda.
    Semua letak tersebut menganjurkan lokasi slot ganyir menang lamun keaslinya posisi slot peruntungan tersebut diragukan. Karna
    itu kalian wajib tahu pertunjukan agen spekulasi online nan sepele maxwin berikut ini.
    Dilansir sejak Wikipedia pesawat slot terutama kali diciptakan akibat seorang Charles Fey pada warsa 1980.
    Pada awalnya slot sendiri berbentuk sebuah motor demi dongkel yang tersembunyi
    dekat pecahan bibir mesin tersebut, peranan mengenai dongkrak
    itu sendiri nantinya untuk ditarik kebawah mudah-mudahan goresan dalam dalam motor dapat berpusar.
    Sehingga semakin tinggi RTP pada sebuah motor
    slot, maka semakin besar pintu Anda bakal memihak mainan. Tentu berkepanjangan menurut dapat menikmati privilege atau
    layanan istimewa ini harus katalog letak spekulasi slot88 terbaik SULTANGACOR lebih-lebih dahulu.
    Di kedudukan inilah nantinya Anda bisa mengindra bermacam-macam macam pertunjukan slot nan paling gacor bersama terbaik warsa
    2023. Situs slot online nan ada poin RTP tertinggi tentunya menjadi target
    para sloter.

  11. Hey there this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if
    you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog
    soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to
    get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously
    appreciated!

  12. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that
    “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal.
    I must say that you’ve done a very good job with this. Also, the blog
    loads super quick for me on Opera. Superb Blog!

  13. Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort
    to create a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a
    whole lot and don’t seem to get anything done.

  14. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids.
    I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and
    said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.”
    She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  15. Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your web site in internet explorer, would test this?
    IE still is the market chief and a huge component to other people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.

  16. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well.
    In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get
    my own website now 😉

  17. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across
    this board and I find It truly helpful & it helped me out much.
    I’m hoping to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  18. Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have created some nice
    practices and we are looking to swap strategies with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.

  19. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the
    -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same
    comment. Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service?
    Kudos!

  20. Hi would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
    Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable
    price? Kudos, I appreciate it!

  21. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this,
    like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could
    do with some pics to drive the message home a
    bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

  22. A person essentially help to make seriously posts I’d state.
    That is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far?

    I surprised with the research you made to create this
    actual submit incredible. Excellent activity!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button