Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking can feel overwhelming and invasive, but you are not alone. Learn how to recognise it, protect yourself and find help.
Cyberstalking involves repeated, unwanted behaviour through digital technology that causes fear, alarm or distress. It can affect children, teenagers and adults.
Someone may use messages, social media, online accounts or location information to monitor, intimidate or threaten another person. The behaviour may happen entirely online or alongside stalking in everyday life.
If someone is targeting you, you deserve to feel safe and to be taken seriously.
What Does Cyberstalking Look Like?
Repeated Unwanted Contact
- Sending persistent messages after being asked to stop
- Contacting someone through multiple accounts or platforms
- Creating new accounts after being blocked
- Pressuring someone to respond or reveal information
Monitoring and Tracking
- Watching someone's online activity obsessively
- Using shared location settings without permission
- Attempting to access private accounts
- Using technology to track someone's movements
Threats and Intimidation
- Sending frightening or threatening messages
- Threatening to publish personal information
- Using blackmail or coercion
- Threatening friends, family members or pets
Impersonation and Public Harassment
- Creating fake profiles in someone's name
- Spreading false or humiliating information
- Encouraging others to harass a person
- Sharing someone's private details to expose them to unwanted contact
Who Can Be Affected?
Anyone can experience cyberstalking, whatever their age or background. Children and teenagers may be particularly vulnerable when harassment involves school friendships, gaming communities, group chats or social media.
Cyberstalking can also occur after a friendship or relationship ends. Sometimes the person responsible is known to the victim; sometimes they are not.
Cyberstalking is not simply an online disagreement. Repeated unwanted behaviour that causes fear or distress should be taken seriously.
If You Feel Unsafe
If someone has threatened you, appears to be following you, knows your location unexpectedly or makes you fear for your safety, seek help promptly.
In immediate danger, call 999. For a non-emergency police report in England and Wales, call 101 or use your local police force's reporting service.
If you are under 18, tell a trusted adult. You can also contact Childline on 0800 1111.
What Should You Do if Someone Is Cyberstalking You?
- Put your safety first. If you believe you are in danger, contact the police. Avoid meeting or confronting the person.
- Keep a record. Save relevant messages, usernames, dates, URLs and screenshots where safe to do so. Keep a simple diary of incidents.
- Tell someone you trust. Speak to a parent, teacher, safeguarding lead, friend or support organisation.
- Report the behaviour. Contact the platform and, where appropriate, the police. Explain the pattern of incidents rather than treating each message separately.
- Review account security. Change compromised passwords using a safe device, enable two-factor authentication and check which devices are signed in.
- Check location sharing. Review permissions, shared accounts and connected devices. If you suspect monitoring by someone close to you, seek specialist advice before making changes that could alert them.
- Consider blocking. Blocking can stop unwanted contact, but if the person may retaliate or is monitoring your devices, discuss a safety plan with a specialist first.
How Parents Can Help
Listen Without Blame
Encourage your child to explain what has happened. Avoid blaming them for responding to messages, sharing information or trusting someone online.
Reassure them that telling you was the right decision.
Recognise Warning Signs
A child may become anxious about notifications, withdraw from online activities, experience sleep problems or worry that someone knows where they are.
These signs can have other causes, so ask gentle, open questions.
Make a Safety Plan Together
Discuss who your child can approach at school, how to report threatening behaviour and what to do if the person contacts them again.
Preserve evidence and seek police or specialist advice when appropriate.
Improve Digital Safety
Review privacy settings, account access, passwords and location sharing together.
Use age-appropriate parental controls, but remember that open communication and trust are just as important.
Cyberstalking and UK Law
Stalking and harassment can be criminal offences. Online behaviour may form part of a wider pattern of stalking, and several laws can be relevant depending on the circumstances.
Protection from Harassment Act 1997
In England and Wales, this legislation provides offences relating to harassment and stalking, including conduct that causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.
Threatening and Harmful Communications
Threatening messages and certain other harmful communications may be criminal offences. The applicable law depends on the content, circumstances and jurisdiction.
Intimate Images and Blackmail
Threatening to share intimate images, sharing them without consent or using them for blackmail may amount to criminal offences.
Online Accounts and Impersonation
Unauthorised access to accounts, fraud and identity-related offences may also be relevant. Impersonation is not automatically a crime in every circumstance.
Laws differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Police or specialist legal advisers can explain which provisions apply to a particular case.
Reporting Cyberstalking
Police
Report repeated harassment, threats, stalking or suspected criminal behaviour. Provide a clear timeline and any evidence you have safely preserved.
Call 999 in an emergency. For non-emergencies in England and Wales, call 101.
School or College
If pupils or students are involved, tell the school's designated safeguarding lead or another trusted member of staff.
Schools can consider safeguarding action even when incidents take place outside school hours.
Online Platforms
Use reporting tools for harassment, threats, impersonation and privacy violations.
Keep a record of reports and responses, and seek further help if the behaviour continues.
Specialist Support
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides stalking information and support, including information about the National Stalking Helpline.
Children can also seek confidential help from Childline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cyberbullying and cyberstalking?
Both can involve online harassment. Cyberstalking typically involves a pattern of unwanted, intrusive or threatening behaviour directed at someone, potentially creating fear or serious distress. The two can overlap.
Can cyberstalking happen through online games?
Yes. Someone may repeatedly contact, threaten, monitor or pursue another player through gaming accounts, messages or connected social platforms.
Should I block someone who is stalking me?
Blocking may help, but safety comes first. Save evidence where safe, and consider specialist advice if blocking could lead to escalation or reveal that you have noticed monitoring.
What if I think someone has access to my phone?
If you suspect monitoring software or unauthorised access, use a device you believe is safe to seek advice. Avoid making sudden changes if they could put you at greater risk.
What should a teenager do if they are being cyberstalked?
Tell a trusted adult, keep a record of incidents, avoid engaging with threats and seek help from the school, police or Childline as appropriate.
Find Advice and Support
Whether you are a young person, parent or carer, Act Against Bullying can help you find practical guidance and further support.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For confidential support for children and young people, Childline is available on 0800 1111.