Cyber stalking: The social impact of social networking technology

Social networking technology provides a social, collaborative and interactive platform for Internet users. The advances in social networking technology improve the socialization among Internet users. Users become more open in expressing their thoughts and sharing information, and along the way this contributes to the rise of internet violations. One of the violation faced by the internet users is cyber stalking. Cyber stalking is an evolvement of a real world stalking; it is harassment and stalking through telecommunication technology. This study employs the qualitative approach in exploring the phenomenon of cyber stalking in Malaysia. A total of 10 cyber stalking victims were interviewed for their experiences. The findings discovered that the factors contributing to cyber stalking include love obsession, love affairs, flirting, and revenge. Four types of cyber stalking are discovered from the study are harassing, threatening, intimidating and impersonating profiles. Cyber stalking victims experienced psychological and behavioral effects such as depression, isolation, anxiety and extreme cautious of their surroundings. In facing the phenomenon they developed strategies such as confiding with family members, close and trusted friends for support. A positive effect of being cyber stalked is the tendency to be more alert during online, and careful in sharing their personal information through the social networking sites.