cyberstalkers

The quest for sexual gratification emerges as a significant additional motivation for cyberstalking, wherein some offenders engage in inappropriate and intrusive online behaviors to derive pleasure from the suffering of their victims….These varied motivations, encompassing elements of fixation, anonymous expression, manipulation, and retaliation, underscore the intricate nature of cyberstalking and the diverse psychological factors that drive this activity….

Godavarthi, SM Kowsik, Surya Vishnu Ganimisetty, Sreekar Palanati, Radhika Rani Chintala, and Venkata Praveen Chennamsetty. "Confronting the offensive stalking risks: With standing cyber stalkers." In 2024 International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication and Applied Informatics (ACCAI), pp. 1-7. IEEE, 2024.

Cyberstalking involves the use of technology to make an individual fearful or concerned about his or her safety. Cyberstalkers generally employ the Internet through e-mails, blogs, instant messages, video messages, chat rooms, social networks, or other websites, which intimidate, harass, and create fear in victims. Cyberstalking is harassing in nature and may include revealing private information; sending threatening messages through text messages or social media; calling or messaging repeatedly and constantly; posting derogatory posts on social media; and sending unwanted and inappropriate photographs or videos. There are infinite methods and forms of communication and surveillance a cyberstalker can use. Also, there is no typical or average method used in the context of cyberstalking. This is one reason why it is so challenging to hold perpetrators accountable. Statutes and civil remedies must be very broad to cover all the ways in which a cyberstalker can act.

Kara Powell, Cyberstalking: Holding Perpetrators Accountable and Providing Relief for Victims, 25 RICH. J.L. & TECH., no. 3, 2019.