Cyberstalking

''Facebook stalk'' and ''Fraping'' are new terms used commonly in the English language today, although perhaps not in a standard manner. These phrases have derived from the now mainstream use of the social networking site Facebook.

Cyberstalking is a more recent phrase, with the word 'cyber' only recently becoming into vocabulary thanks to the popularisation of the use of 'cyber space' (the internet). This entitles a person using the internet/mobile phone to quite literally stalk a person. There are a variety of ways in which this could happen, either through social networking sites like Facebook or hacking accounts. They can also use calling and texting as a threat.

Statistics show that 74% of victims are all female. The stereotype of cyber stalking is usually a man stalking a woman for whatever reason, more than likely an ex girlfriend or with some form of relationship. It doesn't distinctly limit to one person. One cyber stalker could have hundreds of victims thanks to the ease and anonymity the internet allows you.

• Michigan man accused of cyberstalking 10 local females

It's also not always men who commit the crime. As previously mentioned, the internet allows anyone to have anonymity. It requires no actual skill other than subtlety.

• 12 year old girl sentenced for cyber stalking

Victims of cyber stalking could have literally no idea they are being stalked. Someone could find out where you are simply with your phone, with new GPS systems that are programmed into smart phones such as iPhones. Facebook and Twitter are also social networking sites that people use carelessly, thinking nothing of sharing their personal information. 

• Cyberstalking: Internet Protocol

There are laws which cyberstalking come under to help victims prosecute their attackers. Changes were made to these laws in 1997 to accommodate the new technology:

14. Section 2A(3) lists examples of behaviours associated with stalking. The list is not an exhaustive list but gives an indication of the types of behaviour that may be displayed in a stalking offence. The listed behaviours are:

• following a person
• contacting, or attempting to contact, a person by any means
• publishing any statement or other material (i) relating or purporting to relate to a person, or (ii) purporting to originate from a person
• monitoring the use by a person of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication
• loitering in any place (whether public or private)
• interfering with any property in the possession of a person
• watching or spying on a person

The problem with cyber stalking is that being on the internet gives you anonymity, and it's very hard to track someone. IP addresses can be tracked down by the police and investigators, however it's hard to tell who was on that computer, especially if they were using a public domain or in a different location. They can also use false or other peoples identities and therefore accounts/phones to commit their acts.