Cyberstalking is unwanted electronic communication directed at a specific person. It causes the victim to fear for their safety or the safety of another. It can also cause emotional distress. 

It is cyberstalking if a person:

• Threatens the victim with bodily harm or sexual assault, 
• Threatens to confine or restrain the victim,
• Causes the victim to believe they might get physically hurt, sexually assaulted, confined or restrained,
• Causes the victim emotional distress, or
• Asks another person to do one of the above.

Examples of cyberstalking include:

• Making threats on social media or by text message
• Threatening to share nude or explicit photos or private information
• Breaking into someone’s online accounts to threaten them or assume their identity
• Sending messages meant to cause emotional distress
• Monitoring the location and activities of the victim

Cyberstalking is a Class 4 felony in Illinois. Punishment can include 1 to 3 years in prison and fines. Further convictions are Class 3 felonies, with penalties of 2 to 5 years in prison and fines.

Cyberstalking is a form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is sharing false or mean content about someone else or online harassment. Cyberbullying is usually unplanned and is often done out of spite. Cyberbullying could turn into cyberstalking. You can find out more about cyberbullying on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Stop Bullying website.

If you are being cyberstalked

Any form of stalking is serious and can cause extreme emotional distress. You do not have to deal with it alone.

• If you are in immediate danger, call 911
• You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255 for English, (800) 628-9454 for Spanish, or (800) 799-4889 for Deaf & Hard of Hearing. You can also text HOME to 741741 (English). You can reach out online by completing this survey to be connected with a counselor. 
• The Illinois Stalking Advocacy Center helps stalking victims in Kendall, DeKalb, LaSalle, Ogle, and Lee Counties. You can reach them at (815) 615-8659. 
• You can contact the Stop Bullying Now Hotline at (800) 273-8255.
• Talk to people you trust. You may find support from your school’s emergency management or counseling services.
• You might not know who the cyberstalker is. In this case, it is important to involve school officials or law enforcement. Many cyberstalkers use technology to remain anonymous. It can be hard to find their identity without help from officials.

Cyberstalking can also be a form of domestic abuse. For resources and support, contact: 

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 or text START to 88788.
• The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338 (877-TO END DV) 
• Your local domestic violence victim service agency in this directory by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

You may be able to get a Stalking No Contact Order against the cyberstalker. To find out more, you can visit Getting a no contact order for stalking. A no contact order requires at least 2 incidences of cyberstalking. No contact orders do not require in-person stalking. You can contact the help desk at your local courthouse to find out more.

To protect yourself from cyberstalkers

• Take threats seriously
• Save evidence by taking screenshots and writing down dates and times
• Use the “report” option on social media sites or block users
• Don’t share sensitive information like your home address or phone number
• Think carefully about sharing photos 
• Don’t accept friend requests from strangers
• Change your passwords frequently
• Make social media accounts private or delete social media accounts