Cyberstalking: a content analysis of gender-based offenses committed online.
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The 21st century has come up with the increased usage of technology and this has
been welcomed by cyber stalkers for it has exacerbated cyberstalking. Cyberstalking
therefore has grown considerably within the contemporary environment.
Cyberstalking entails the inappropriate, uninvited social exchange behaviours
initiated by a perpetrator via online or wireless communication technology and
devices. Forms of cyberstalking includes sending threatening or obscene electronic
emails, harassing in chat rooms, spamming, tracing another person's computer and
internet activity, and posting threatening or harassing messages on blogs or through
social media. The study utilised qualitative research methods in which documentary
search was utilised as the secondary source of data collection. The study therefore
gathered that gender based offences have considerably increased online. The study
gathered that women (particularly young women aged 18-24) disproportionately
experience severe types of cyber harassment, namely cyberstalking and online
sexual harassment. The study also gathered that there are a number of ways which
have been documented to deal with cybercrime. Raising awareness, setting up and
supporting peer-support networks for the eradicating gender based offences
committed online and there is need for industry regulations such as punishment from
using twitter and YouTube if found to be offensive. The study also gathered that
cyber stalkers are motivated by a number of ways. The first category are those that
need to fulfil the psychological needs, wishes, or cravings regarding the victim on the
part of the perpetrator and the second category are those motivated by the need to
instil fear and gain control over the victim. The third group consists of those cyber
stalkers who are motivated with the need to seek revenge or punish the victim. And
the last group of cyber stalkers are those motivated by the need to build a
relationship with the victim. The study therefore recommends for the need to
implement cyber stalking regulations within South Africa for the ones that have been
acted are not being efficient in combating cyberstalking.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.