Friday, January 21, 2011

Cyberstalking and cyberharassment

Many people seem to be in dire need of a reminder on what constitutes cyberstalking or cyberharassment. Here is some useful information on the subject:
Many states have enacted "cyberstalking" or "cyberharassment" laws or have laws that explicitly include electronic forms of communication within more traditional stalking or harassment laws. Other state laws may still apply to those who harass, threaten or bully others online, although specific language may make the laws easier to enforce. This chart classifies the various state laws addressing these three different types of online behaviors, as described below.
Cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet, email or other electronic communications to stalk, and generally refers to a pattern of threatening or malicious behaviors. Cyberstalking may be considered the most dangerous of the three types of Internet harassment, based on a posing credible threat of harm. Sanctions range from misdemeanors to felonies.
Cyberharassment. Cyberharassment differs from cyberstalking in that it is generally defined as not involving a credible threat. Cyberharassment usually pertains to threatening or harassing email messages, instant messages, or to blog entries or websites dedicated solely to tormenting an individual. Some states approach cyberharrassment by including language addressing electronic communications in general harassment statutes, while others have created stand-alone cyberharassment statutes.
 Here you can find specific cyberharassment statutes of each state.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having a problem? I like to solve problems.

If you have an IP address, I can probably have their home address in a few days.

-Mike

Clarissa said...

Thank you so much, Mike! It's nice to know that's an option.

Did everybody get that? I'm recording all of your IP addresses, so make sure you proceed with great caution.

I also happen to have a legal firm on retainer at this moment. So harass me at your own risk.

Dylan said...

This link http://local.nixle.com/alert/4667496/ was emailed & texted out to all the registered users of nixle. I did get in some trouble & was arrested the day before the alert went out, had not been to court & certainly hadn't been found guilty of anything. I was awakened after sleeping for 3 hours when this picture was taken & it does not even look like me. It seems the chief of police is misleading a lot of users. He has a problem with my family that's been ongoing for 4 years now & I feel that most of the content & his personal message to me was malicious & harassing. I lost my job the very next day & can't participate in some school activities now. It was posted all over facebook & in the newspapers. At one point I thought about hanging myself because it just wouldn't go away. I tried to ignore the stares, talking & posts but it was really hard after the post was shown on an overhead projector at my school. At my preliminary hearing yesterday, some of the charges were thrown out & I'm working on the rest. Does anyone know if this is a form of cyber harassment? Is it legal? Libel or defamation or just freedom of speech?

Dylan said...

This link local.nixle.com/alert/4667496/ was emailed & texted out to all the registered users of nixle. I did get in some trouble & was arrested the day before the alert went out, had not been to court & certainly hadn't been found guilty of anything. I was awakened after sleeping for 3 hours when this picture was taken & it does not even look like me. It seems the chief of police is misleading a lot of users. He has a problem with my family that's been ongoing for 4 years now & I feel that most of the content & his personal message to me was malicious & harassing. I lost my job the very next day & can't participate in some school activities now. It was posted all over facebook & in the newspapers. At one point I thought about hanging myself because it just wouldn't go away. I tried to ignore the stares, talking & posts but it was really hard after the post was shown on an overhead projector at my school. At my preliminary hearing yesterday, some of the charges were thrown out & I'm working on the rest. Does anyone know if this is a form of cyber harassment? Legal, libel, defamation or just freedom of speech?

Clarissa said...

This is the chief of police who does that??? Wow, that's just bizarre. I think your family should definitely find a lawyer because this sounds like it might be actionable.

Stay strong and make sure you find a lawyer!

Anonymous said...

It's nuts he can do this. I know he can post about my arrest but the other stuff is just crazy. It's scary that he is the law & carries a badge. And thanks, I am trying to stay strong.

Dylan said...

Fox 29 of Philadelphia just did an iterview with me. It will be on the 5 o'clock news today.