Police responses to young people’s experiences of cyberstalking.

• In Event: POLWG Panel 13. Policing in the Digital Age: Reflections on current practice and preparedness to police the online world

Abstract

In our digitally interconnected world, cyberstalking has become a significant concern. Young people have embraced new technologies for communication, making social media apps such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat and other platforms an integral part of their lives for communicating. Young people utilise digital spaces to create new connections and even initiate, sustain, and manage aspects of their intimate relationships online.

Consequently, technology has provided opportunities to facilitate online monitoring of others due to the proficiency and ease with which information can be obtained. The rise of digital technologies has given perpetrators new avenues and opportunities to target victims resulting in a rise of cyberstalking. However, little work to date has explored young people’s perceptions and experiences of cyberstalking. Research consistently revealing very few cyberstalking victims choose to report their experiences to the police. There is a notable research gap regarding young people’s reasons not to report cyberstalking incidents.

This research examines police officers' use of authority to regulate and influence the behaviour of young people. It draws on insights from the literature review and interviews with young cyberstalking victims and frontline response police officers. Preliminary findings from young people indicate age bias among police officers, resulting in misguided advise on cyberstalking incidents, leading to escalated risk and lack of support. Young people's perspectives and experiences highlight the importance of lasting changes in attitudes, policies and practices. By tackling these, the research aims to improve victim support, inform policy, and refine practices within the cyberstalking sector.

Author

• Tahreem Tahir, University of Central Lancashire