Cyberstalking with Intent to Do Harm: A Federal & Often State Felony as Well in the USA

Bartenders and Servers out on the Web Beware! Social Media and Other Cyberstalking with Intent to Do Harm: A Serious Felony in the USA

Cybertroll/Cyberstalker at Work Trolling the Internet

“TROLLS”

Strictly speaking, Trolls aren’t by default Stalkers. The first rule of dealing with trolls is to not engage with them. By ignoring them, you deny them the attention they crave. Trolls often thrive on getting a reaction, and responding to them can escalate the situation. It’s vital to remember that you can’t reason with someone whose primary goal is to provoke.  That said, WE ALL KNOW THEM!¹ Social media private group Trolls will incite arguments and ceaselessly attack posts. They usually have multiple profiles and accounts, and will gang (of one) up on their victims and appear to be multiple cruel people all agreeing with one another, and seeing if they can draw other unsuspecting people in the group to also take part in harming their victim. Occasionally Cyber Trolls do turn into Cyberstalkers when they want revenge.


In the digital age, the internet offers countless benefits, from connecting with friends and family to accessing a wealth of information at our fingertips. However, this same technology has also given rise to new forms of crime, one of the most insidious being cyberstalking. When conducted with intent to do harm², cyberstalking is not just a nuisance—it’s a felony in the United States.

UNDERSTANDING CYBERSTALKING

Cyberstalking involves the use of the internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organization. It can take many forms, including sending threatening emails, spreading false information, hacking into personal accounts, incessantly monitoring someone’s online activity, or doxing (screen shotting designated private group conversations and forwarding the information to employers). The key element that distinguishes cyberstalking from other forms of online harassment is the intent to cause fear, emotional distress, or physical harm, and this means that that harm can also be losing one’s job.


LEGAL FRAMEWORK

In the United States, cyberstalking is addressed under various federal and state laws. The primary federal law is the Interstate Stalking Act, which criminalizes the use of the internet to engage in a course of conduct that places a person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. Additionally, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) includes provisions that cover cyberstalking, recognizing the severe impact it can have on victims.


States have also enacted their own laws to combat cyberstalking. While the specifics can vary, most state laws define cyberstalking as a pattern of behavior that causes a victim to feel threatened or harassed. Importantly, these laws often do not require physical proximity to the victim, acknowledging that online actions can have real-world consequences.

CONSEQUENCES OF CYBERSTALKING

The penalties for cyberstalking with intent to do harm are severe. Under federal law, a conviction can result in up to five years in prison, fines, and a criminal record that can impact the perpetrator’s future opportunities. State laws may impose additional penalties, including longer prison sentences and mandatory counseling or rehabilitation programs.


THE IMPACT ON VICTIMS

Cyberstalking can have profound effects on its victims. The constant fear and anxiety can lead to mental health issues such as depression, PTSD, and even suicidal thoughts. Victims may feel isolated, as the relentless harassment can force them to withdraw from social interactions and online activities. The financial impact can also be significant, as victims may incur costs related to security measures, legal fees, and lost income due to the inability to work.

PROTECTING YOURSELF AND SEEKING HELP

If you believe you are being cyberstalked, it’s crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself:


1. Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all incidents, including emails, messages, and social media interactions.
2. Enhance Security: Update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and use privacy settings on social media platforms.
3. Seek Support: Contact law enforcement and consider reaching out to organizations that support victims of cyberstalking.
4. Legal Action: Consult with an attorney to understand your rights and the legal steps you can take.


Cyberstalking with intent to do harm is a serious crime that can devastate the lives of its victims. Recognizing the severity of this issue, the United States has implemented stringent laws to punish perpetrators and protect those affected. Awareness and education are key to preventing cyberstalking and ensuring that victims receive the support and justice they deserve.


By understanding the legal framework and taking proactive steps, we can help create a safer online environment for everyone.


MY ADVICE:

Truthfully, in my experience and opinion, there are too many Trolls on the web to deal with individually. My advice is to block them, ALL of them, one at a time. I’ve blocked over 1,000 of them. There is evidence I’ve read in books that suggests that many or most Trolls/Cyberstalkers are Psychopaths (now more commonly referred to as “Border Personality Disorder” yeah – ok – they’re still Psychos!) and there’s no cure for that.


HERE’S THE EASIEST WAY TO BLOCK THEM:


You’ll find that some people’s posts get a LOT of trolls attacking them. There’s a reason for that. Psychopaths look at emotions like love as weakness. That’s how they’re able to take advantage of “friends” and “lovers” – girlfriends, boyfriends, even wives or husbands they marry in order to rob them and rape their financial accounts, quickly taking everything they have.

So they KNOW who to victimize, and how to do it. Practice makes perfect. 


Find the posts where you see some innocent person’s good hearted, innocent post being attacked by trolls – the more the better (for you to block a whole BUNCH of them) … NOT so good for the hapless victim, but good for you. So now you can block several of them, maybe more, in one fell swoop. Excellent. NOW you know how to formulate your “Troll Bait Posts”…

TROLL BAIT POSTS:

Here’s how you make a Troll Bait Post.

First thing, write an innocent post written in a friendly tone asking for some guidance (or just describing whatever you’re describing in your post) in a basic bartending or server way. BE FRIENDLY – so easy to do. BE INNOCENT – Mr, Ms, MRS, NonBinary “Nice <Your Designation Here>”


Then write your post.


NEXT: TRUST ME!!!

It works like honey to the fly, like heroin to the addict – YOU WILL attract the trolls. Here’s how it works almost 100% of the time. The first comments you get will almost always be helpful, supportive, nice normal people who want to help you. Sometimes it’ll be just a few, sometimes a dozen… but then the mayhem breaks loose and you’ll start getting the attacks. Don’t block them yet. Act innocent and play strictly by the rules of polite, respectful conversation as you genuinely defend your positions based on reason, logic, and level headed thinking.


What happens next is you’ll get half a dozen or a dozen (if more than one Troll attacker using multiple accounts) shows up to do a number³ on you. THAT’S A GOOD THING. Now, you can go into your own post and BLOCK, BLOCK, BLOCK, BLOCK, BLOCK (Ad infinitum) until your fingers bleed. DONE with those permanently in ALL OF YOUR bartending and / or server groups FOREVER … until they create a few new accounts they can use in conjunction with one another – which, btw, takes a lot of extra work, so they won’t – PLUS Facebook starts to flag too many added accounts from the same person’s IP, computer, phone, or however else it does it. 🙂 And THAT’S the way to get rid of those assholes.


BUT it’s not over. If you REALLY want to protect yourself you’re going to have to go DEEP and protect your account. These Cyber-TROLL/STALKERS are out for blood and revenge because one thing and know from my extensive reading of psychiatric examinations is that Psychopaths are incredibly hard to nail down, and Psychiatrists HATE them because they’re so slippery and incredibly hard to nail down. Chimpanzee Psychopaths (yes, they exist!) are Psychiatrists favorite study subjects because they can’t disguise their illness. But HUMAN psychopaths are con-men/women who mimic normal behavioral responses to things like pity, grief, love, empathy, friendliness, etc. and take advantage of those things – again – “as weaknesses”.  So don’t fall for any of it. Don’t try to fix them. Don’t try to reason with them. BLOCK THEM. ALL.


Good riddance to bad trash as the old saying goes.

Footnotes 👇

1. And by “know” I mean we all suffer their attacks, but they remain hidden from view, often using fake accounts – NOTE: I know that Trolls and Stalkers are different from one another, but when Trolls become angered they become vengeful, and can easily stalk your profile, your every post, page, picture, and group to dig up any dirt on you they can to cause you harm.[↩]
2. States, including Florida, have also enacted their own laws to combat cyberstalking. While the specifics can vary, most state laws define cyberstalking as a pattern of behavior that causes a victim to feel threatened or harassed. Importantly, these laws often do not require physical proximity to the victim, acknowledging that online actions can have real-world consequences.[↩]
3. aka a “hatchet job”[↩]

Footnotes 👆