Abstract

PEREIRA, F.  and  MATOS, M.. Cyberstalking among adolescents: a new form of harassment and persecution?. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2015, vol.16, n.1, pp.57-69. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/15psd160207.

With the increasing diffusion of information and communication technologies, phenomena such as cyberstalking begin to have more expression and social visibility, and may have targeted adults, children and / or adolescents. However, despite the consensus in the literature about the central assumptions of cyberstalking (e.g., persistence, intent, deliberation, undesirability, there remains a great controversy surrounding its definition. This article aims to contribute to the clarification of these inconsistencies at the level of the assumptions of cyberstalking and to the demarcation of this concept, especially of the phenomenon of cyberbullying. A set of elements that typifies cyberstalking are reflected in this work. These should be considered in its screening, in the analysis and in the plan of action with the "actors", as well as prevention programs aimed to adolescents, which aim a health education, such as defined by World Health Organization (WHO). It is also critically reflected on the common elements and divergent between the cyberstalking and other forms of online victimization (e.g., sexting, cyberbullying). We conclude that cyberstalking is present in adolescents population, so this should not be considered a "minor" dimension of victimization in this group, but rather as an innovate form compared to physical stalking and different from cyberbullying.

Keywords : Cyberstalking; stalking; victimization; adolescents.

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