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VPNRanks warns: digital violence is spiraling out of control.
According to a recent report by VPNRanks, by 2025, about 23% of internet users may encounter cyberstalking. Experts predict an annual increase in the number of incidents by 5%.
According to analysts, in a year the number of victims could reach nine million people. Users in the United States are particularly vulnerable, with one in three Americans expected to be exposed to this form of digital violence.
Cyberstalking is a malicious activity in which a perpetrator uses electronic means of communication – email, SMS, or social media messages – to threaten, intimidate, or harass the victim. A striking example of this phenomenon was shown in the popular Netflix series "Baby Fawn", based on real events from the life of its creator Richard Gadd. In the story, the main character Donnie received thousands of text messages and emails from a woman named Martha every day. His Facebook page was under constant attack, with comments ranging from obscene to outright aggressive.
While many consider cyberstalking to be a "rare beast," statistics suggest otherwise. In 2021, according to various surveys, the proportion of victims ranged from 7% to 40% of Internet users. It is important to note that most victims face both real and virtual surveillance.
As in the case of Richard Gadd, about 70% of victims know their stalker personally and fear physical violence from him. In 2019, about 1.5 million Americans over the age of 16 (approximately 0.6% of the US population) were affected.
The growing prevalence of online stalking is due to several factors. With the increase in the time we spend on the Internet, the field of activity for attackers also expands. In addition, the widespread use of smart devices and the emergence of sophisticated hacking tools allow criminals to effectively exert psychological pressure on their targets.
Despite the advancement of technology, most attackers prefer to use traditional methods of digital violence. In 2025, texting, email, and phone calls are expected to remain the most common ways of cyberstalking.
There can be many reasons, but one of the most important is the lack of awareness of society. Many victims do not report cases of harassment due to fear of retaliation or lack of understanding of the legal aspects of the situation. According to VPNRanks, in a year, officially registered incidents will account for only about 10% of the total number of incidents.
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According to a recent report by VPNRanks, by 2025, about 23% of internet users may encounter cyberstalking. Experts predict an annual increase in the number of incidents by 5%.
According to analysts, in a year the number of victims could reach nine million people. Users in the United States are particularly vulnerable, with one in three Americans expected to be exposed to this form of digital violence.
Cyberstalking is a malicious activity in which a perpetrator uses electronic means of communication – email, SMS, or social media messages – to threaten, intimidate, or harass the victim. A striking example of this phenomenon was shown in the popular Netflix series "Baby Fawn", based on real events from the life of its creator Richard Gadd. In the story, the main character Donnie received thousands of text messages and emails from a woman named Martha every day. His Facebook page was under constant attack, with comments ranging from obscene to outright aggressive.
While many consider cyberstalking to be a "rare beast," statistics suggest otherwise. In 2021, according to various surveys, the proportion of victims ranged from 7% to 40% of Internet users. It is important to note that most victims face both real and virtual surveillance.
As in the case of Richard Gadd, about 70% of victims know their stalker personally and fear physical violence from him. In 2019, about 1.5 million Americans over the age of 16 (approximately 0.6% of the US population) were affected.
The growing prevalence of online stalking is due to several factors. With the increase in the time we spend on the Internet, the field of activity for attackers also expands. In addition, the widespread use of smart devices and the emergence of sophisticated hacking tools allow criminals to effectively exert psychological pressure on their targets.
Despite the advancement of technology, most attackers prefer to use traditional methods of digital violence. In 2025, texting, email, and phone calls are expected to remain the most common ways of cyberstalking.
There can be many reasons, but one of the most important is the lack of awareness of society. Many victims do not report cases of harassment due to fear of retaliation or lack of understanding of the legal aspects of the situation. According to VPNRanks, in a year, officially registered incidents will account for only about 10% of the total number of incidents.
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