In our modern civilization we are more closely connected to information and people than ever before. Our everyday lives revolve around these technologies including the Internet which is host to hundreds of social networking sites including Facebook. Actually, mainly Facebook.
Facebook offers the opportunity to network with friends, co-workers, and family and communicate on a daily basis over many different channels via it’s site. With over 500 million users on Facebook, the opportunity to run into an unsavory character or jealous ex-partner is a reality users must be prepared to confront. If you end up being stalked, or feel you are stalked, when is the line being crossed to the point where it is a criminal act warranting intervention with the authorities?
Not surprisingly, recently more law enforcement personnel have taken on the social network for use in a growing amount of criminal investigations. While many of these investigations relate so far to crimes not necessarily associated with stalking, it shows that nowadays authorities are paying close attention to the social network and are using evidence from the site in the court of law. This means that you have a good chance of being paid attention to if there is indeed a Facebook stalking situation.
Below let’s list some crucial points as to when to alert the authorities to a Facebook stalker:
- The stalker is an adult and the user is under 18. Pedophiles have learned to use the Internet as one of their tools to lure prey. Always contact the authorities in this situation.
- You already have a restraining order on the individual. Most restraining orders require that the offender not keep the victim under any surveillance or contact you, even through another party. If they are contacting you over your Facebook account, they are more than likely in violation of the order.
- They are making threats of bodily or property harm over posts, IM, or mail to you or to others. Remember to save or have anyone you know save the messages so that the evidence can be displayed from your profile to the police. Copying and pasting may be helpful, but will not show as definitive proof as well as the actual documentation.
Laws and regulations will vary from federal, state, and local so you will want to look up laws on stalking and Internet stalking for your specific region. This can be done by calling a non emergency police line, visiting your local law library, or visiting a local.gov site about such stalking laws.
IMPORTANT: It is important to know that if you ever feel your life is in danger, to immediately dial 9-1-1 and have the authorities come to make a report or an arrest. To hesitate could make the difference between life and death is some cases.
Prevention is key. Remember to never add anyone to your Facebook account that you don’t know. Edit your privacy settings to where friends can only see your updates, your page, and your photos. Also make sure your phone number is never visible on your public profile and that you disable mobile tracking of your destinations.
Facebook Stalking - When to Call the Authorities
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