Danny Brown - Latest Comments in Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Jacek Becela — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:16:07 -0000

Brilliant, I really enjoyed reading this post. Online stalking is a problem, a person in my family was being stalked. I wonder how many of commenters was having such problem among friends and family...

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

ncr — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:16:07 -0000

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

sandalphon123 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:36:15 -0000

I had an online stalker since 2001 up until 2008. Apart from stalking me he also impostored my real name and attacked members of the following website, he published hundreds of malicious, defamous and libelous posts about me on the same website, all ending up in google searches. Through his activities i received death threats from around the world. He made a big mistake one day on http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk where he did the majority of his stalking. He posted in their forums under the pseudonym &#39ronnielockstock&#39 and from certain things he said in the post i knew for sure now who my stalker was. I googled his alias, and over several weeks found years old posts he had made on various websites using that alias, that were very interesting and mentioned other aliases which i searched and found even more. One of the posts revealed certain information that proved to me who he was, i then googled his real name and found more interesting information. in 2007 i presented certain information to my local police and this led to him getting a harassment notice, but it did not stop him, just fired him up to do more, and it got much worse. At one point, his antics started a war on saatchi and they closed down their forums, blogs and chatroom several times for long periods. Eventually i had enough information early 2008 to return to the police, and in april it resulted in him being arrested, not once, but twice. I have found out a lot more about him since.

What he did to me destroyed my life, career and reputation, and i will never ever forgive him.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

sandalphon123 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:36:15 -0000

I had an online stalker since 2001 up until 2008. Apart from stalking me he also impostored my real name and attacked members of the following website, he published hundreds of malicious, defamous and libelous posts about me on the same website, all ending up in google searches. Through his activities i received death threats from around the world. He made a big mistake one day on http://www.saatchi-gallery.... where he did the majority of his stalking. He posted in their forums under the pseudonym 'ronnielockstock' and from certain things he said in the post i knew for sure now who my stalker was. I googled his alias, and over several weeks found years old posts he had made on various websites using that alias, that were very interesting and mentioned other aliases which i searched and found even more. One of the posts revealed certain information that proved to me who he was, i then googled his real name and found more interesting information. in 2007 i presented certain information to my local police and this led to him getting a harassment notice, but it did not stop him, just fired him up to do more, and it got much worse. At one point, his antics started a war on saatchi and they closed down their forums, blogs and chatroom several times for long periods. Eventually i had enough information early 2008 to return to the police, and in april it resulted in him being arrested, not once, but twice. I have found out a lot more about him since.

What he did to me destroyed my life, career and reputation, and i will never ever forgive him.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

mary — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:06:19 -0000

hello. i read your article and found it useful and gave me some incite. i am a victim of harrassment and a stalker. i have 2 order of protections in real life, but i have not enough proof for the cyber stalking. all i do is print out the info, and report the person with fake names to facebook and to myspace. i dont know what else to do. i hate that he is getting away it breaking the orders, and the cops wont help me. do you have any advice for me? also, i would also love to help other victims like me out there. thank you!

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Christy — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:56:18 -0000

Yes it is upsetting and disappointing. If you knew the entire story about that non-profit group you would be quite appalled. In those two cases it was quite calculated, but I imagine that is not always the case.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Christy — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:16:35 -0000

Thank you, Danny, for raising the issues of stalking and harassment on social networking sites. These issues are much larger than most realize. I constantly struggle to balance the online expectations of transparency with my personal need for online privacy and security. I wish I knew a good solution to the problem. In my experience, many abusers, stalkers and bullies are adept at leveraging information and technology for their hateful purposes. Information is power, and these types are all about power and control.

I dealt with a very tech-savvy stalker (and hacker criminal type) who made my online and offline life hell for a couple of years. More recently, I was unfairly maligned by bullies from an apparently disreputable, yet highly regarded and successfully marketed nonprofit organization with whom I previously volunteered. Both situations leveraged buddy lists and online communities to magnify the effects and reach of bullying and harassment.

Bullies and stalkers will always be bullies and stalkers. Obviously, social networking increases the reach, efficiency and effectiveness of their negative activities. Most bullies, stalkers and abusers are not fringe types, by the way. They are often popular and public figures in an online (or offline) community. The usually have large networks and are skilled at twisting perceptions and flying below the radar.

The details one provides online do enable those haters to cause damage in a myriad of ways. I choose to speak the truth, shine a light on bullies and abusers, and block or ignore all those who participate in OR otherwise enable negative activities of that sort. Sometimes that makes me the bad guy and odd man out, but I sleep very well and am happy with the difference I make in the world. It would be great to see more doing the same. Most don't want to get involved.

Thanks again for your thought-provoking article.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Kimberly Saia — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:33:45 -0000

I think maybe some have no problem treating us the same in public.

"It’s no different than a bunch of us showing up in a bar or restaurant to have a conversation."..Actually, it is different.

In an offline atmosphere, the supposed offense is viewable and likely supported by persons which have no incentive to lie or relation to one another. Online, it is frequently the opposite and claims against someones supposed fouls, can (and does) harm innocent and otherwise productive members of communities. Those sorts of resolves are not hindrances to determined haters and gangs who are more than willing to email 100 friends asking them to terrorize you.. the abusers call it "Reputation Management".

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Global Patriot — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:28:43 -0000

It's quite sad that such abusive situations occur in today's social media, but it's an age old problem going back (I'll date myself here) to bulletin boards and then in chat rooms. I think there is a dynamic in which people commit these acts online because they can hide behind their monitor and mouse - they typically wouldn't do such things in public.

As to the social media sites, they absolutely need a dedicated department to handle abuses and complaints, suspending accounts that engage in any uncalled for behavior. It's no different that a bunch of us showing up in a bar or restaurant to have a conversation. If someone gets out of line the bouncer/manager/bartender asks them (or forces them) to leave.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Observation Humanoid — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:02:38 -0000

"like the Internet, it’s healthy and vibrant growth is partly a product of it’s non-regulation." I disagree with the "healthy" part.

Slow growth of healthy innovation ranks higher than fast growing harm in my book.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

PBadstibner — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:46:38 -0000

Morning Danny

How you doing Grt post

Danny I have an intresting take on the situation; blocking is indeed the right way to go for most.

Ignoring is a grt way for ohers

Taking them to court or getting them removed off a sight or reporting them to the social or police are definetly ways to go.

But here is the real problem wih all of the above tactics they do not learn, and they move on and become someone ele's issue.

Tthe individuals and the problem of what basically are just schoolyard bullies, is an age old one. We all knew the schoolyard bully and we all know someone who was harrassed by them. Danny it's kinda like your noisy neighbors. No matter how hard you ignore, you try to block out you really accomplish nothing more than sending them away, letting them be someone else's problem.

We need to remember how the school yard bullies learn thier lessons. By meeting someone bigger stronger, tougher, and meaner. The best way to handle a social bully is not to make them someone's elses but with creativity, an inventive spirit, and sharper wit. Be so nice they get the message. Let them be the one who blocks, ignores, and runs.

Because when they recieve a lasting memory than perhaps the next time they may do it; they may remember WOW That smarts

Perhaps no, Perhaps yes, but usually until they experience they wont learn.

Maybe warped thoughts or a warped way to deal with it. But then you know me Danny

Pat

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Kimberly Saia — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:01:59 -0000

Unless I'm understanding you wrong..If you suggestion were the case, it would have to be 'discreetly' inserted into prominent communities. Hubs, where the 'herd' inevitably flocks.

Ironically, this allows the criminal ample time to establish readership, reliant clientele, sales/conversions, and increased stats for Jimmy Criminal & assoc..having time to fortify a larger crew. Amplified.

Like the myth of drinking milk to rid stomach acid. Milk ceases production of the acid temporarily, then rebounds to increased production x 2.

It sounds a bit similar to how a dope dealer is oftentimes apprehended by the use of a discreetly planted observer/participant. By the time the apprehension takes place, they have already created multitudes to continue on. Neverending. Temp solution. ..Online law will have to be comparative to offline, yet twisted in a fashion that will not double or triple what began.

Awake at night trying to catch the angle.

I see more when I step inside cycles of conversations, personalities and what nots and simply observe..wondering how offline law would react if the win/lose ratio were equivalent to SMs in their attempts to regulate comparatively, and the adaptation/adjustment of those left behind. I feel SM drama extends beyond the virtual zone, as you seem to have suggested, and it's possible that the this zone can be an effective testing ground for offline application as well.

I'm a blonde hair twirling creative nobody yet I Do know this: SM is a [potential] breeding ground for serious criminals. It's not a movie. It's on and underguestimating. not. good.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Robert Bacal — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:08:14 -0000

We're in the midst of a similar sit. on twitter, being trashed by a guy who hasn't been very successful. He has a decade long history of spamming, identity impersonation, faked messages, signing people up for ezines. He always gets caught, and been turfed once by twitter, once by yahoogroups, and banned from pro groups.

He's trying to prevent us using hashtags, by pouring junk posts into the timestream that are irrelevant. It goes on and on, and he's caused on good twitter to go private because of harrassment on twitter and elsewhere. Her sin was, many years ago, to complain about his violating her copyrights.

The bottom line is that the time and effort needed to do something is high, while the returns are small. When he was turfed from twitter, he just made another account and started over. But the deal is that people like that have very little real influence, and most people simply aren't interested in mudslinging.

Harrasers still end up with their own sad lives, and that's often the biggest punishment life doles out.

This guy has been in and out of court so much in "real" life that its unlikely he has anything to lose, anyway. If you can live with it, try to ignore it.

@rbacal http://twitter.com/rbacal

(Sorry, couldn't log in via twitter.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Stuart Foster — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:07:26 -0000

When you invite the public into any forum (and give them access to monitoring tools) you are opening up some vulnerable people to exploitation. Unfortunately I think that is just the price of certain darker aspects of human nature. I think it's insanely screwed up...but a necessary evil for the advances that are being made every day through easier communication.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Kimberly Saia — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:38:51 -0000

[riffly_video]F695BE223A8C11DE9D5EC94D49680BD4[/riffly_video]

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Kimberly Saia — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:29:40 -0000

[riffly_video]994ADD443A8A11DEB8C4C94D49680BD4[/riffly_video]

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Jaime Marin — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:53:02 -0000

Very interesting article, thank you for pointing out the dangers, we all can incurred by venturing in the web. It is scary that we have predators amongst ourselves.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Simon Mason — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:44:12 -0000

I have friends and relatives who still won't shop online much less get involved in social media because of this issue. I have tended to think they are being a little paranoid, but perhaps I'm wrong.

I suppose this is one of those situations which the vast majority of social media participators will never encounter, but for the unfortunate few it must be a nightmare.

Like you I don't have an answer to this problem - it is hard enough stopping bullies in as small and area as the school playground - and the internet takes the problem accross all borders. All we can do is try to offer support to our friends who have been targeted and keep operating with openness and generosity ourselves.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Kim Woodbridge — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:58:17 -0000

I believe the blocking feature on twitter is effective. It is my understanding that if enough users block the same account it triggers a review by twitter. Now I believe this is uses as an anti-spam measure but it seems that it would also work against stalkers.

I do not believe the answer is becoming less open. That causes bad to win over good and that is never the ideal solution.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Mickey Gomez — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:43:04 -0000

As always, a great and thought-provoking post. For a long time, I was reluctant to get involved in social media because of this very issue.

I think that this will always be an issue as long as, first, people use aliases or fake e-mail addresses to sign-up for an use social media. This gives abusers a false sense of security and enables them to act in ways that they would never dare to do if using their real name and contact information.

Second, it will also continue if there are no repercussions. I don't have the answer either, but if there are no negative consequences for their actions, there is no meaningful reason for them to stop (keeping in mind that a reasonable person would never have started it in the first place).

I think Shelly is right, part of it does involve not watching in silence on the sidelines. As they say, silence breeds consent. If we see someone abusing someone else, we should step in and do what we can to stop it. If we see others stepping forward to address it, we should back them up.

Thanks, Danny, for starting this excellent conversation!

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Roger Hjulstrom — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:12:22 -0000

There are no perfect solutions, and there are different types of social media stalking and harassment. I would divide them into personal and business attacks meant to damage the person's reputation, and personal and sexual stalking. The last thing we want to do is put more restrictions on social media, like the Internet, it's healthy and vibrant growth is partly a product of it's non-regulation. I like one of the previous comments by Brenda Drake about posting the amount of times someone is blocked on Twitter, this could be extended to supplying more of such type of data on all social networks, and allow the individual to make a more informed judgement of someone's 'social validity'.
The other type of stalking is much more difficult to deal with, the only mechanisms available now are blocking someone, and having the hosting social network remove them altogether. It remains to be seen if this will prove sufficient. As social media evolves, new coping mechanisms will surely evolve with it.

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

The Lovable Rogue — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:05:36 -0000

Another interesting post, Danny.
My suggestion would be that perhaps the answer to these issues isn't social media related per se. I entirely agree that platforms such as Twitter do have an obligation to remove damaging content, but perhaps these virtual outbursts are illustrative of real-world problems. Perhaps the solution involves the joint development of some type of service specifically designed to target those creating this disparaging content with the intention of identifying the reasons behind these actions. This would only work however in collaboration with ongoing efforts from the social platforms themselves I feel.

Chris
TLR

Re: Virtual Stalking – A Real World Problem for Social Media

Brenda Drake — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:49:13 -0000

EXCELLENT post and certainly pertinent information as these communities grow larger. Fortunately these communities do tend to police themselves, but as they grow larger what is the best way to handle those who are absusive in their posts? Speaking specifically of Twitter, perhaps showing the number of people who have blocked someone else would help. That way the people who are frequent offenders will be flagged. People who want to get around any guidelines/deterrrants will get around them...but how should the companies and/or communities balance keeping the sites open for all users against making sure that people who are nuisances are removed. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I look forward to seeing the discussion!