The Age of Social Media Stalking

Social media users have become ignorant to the danger that social media imposes on our well-being. We spend too much valuable time on our personal pages and not enough time being productive in our physical lives. We also tend to develop insecurities based on constant comparison to others lives that seem to be so “picture perfect.” The ultimate danger that goes past these threats to our well-being is the outstanding opportunities given to stalkers.

A stalker is considered a person that becomes overly obsessed with somebody by engaging in unwanted bombarding behaviors. These behaviors may include calls, texts, emails, tracking and following. Social media has created an opportunity to stretch stalking behaviors without the victim having any clue.

Nowadays, people use their social media as either personal blogs or influencer platforms that provide extensive information about their (what should be) private life. In efforts to expose themselves, users often leave their profiles on a public setting. Stalkers are able to gather information such as where you live, the places you often visit such as bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc., what school you go to, where you work, the communities your in, and so on. They are able to identify your interests and hobbies and have the ability to use this information to the stalkers advantage.

It is important that we take precautions when it comes to social media, considering our personal accounts are a main source in providing information for potential stalkers. The digital world becomes less and less private everyday. Therefore, we should be careful who we consider “friends” on our pages and differentiate personal information that can be shared versus personal information that should remain private.

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