Online Defamation vs. Stalking

Defamation is the false spoken or written statement against another person that causes harm to his or her reputation or standing in the community, and this is very different than the habitual following of every action and activity of a single person that constitutes stalking. Knowing the difference could help the victim seek the best possible remedy.

Defamation through online use and spreading lies through web content is a problem in the age of the computer. When a person is able to write a false detail about a person or company without any intermediary, it is possible to defame multiple individuals and entities at the same time. This could lead to numerous defamation claims. However, understanding the difference in the act of watching a person or business and actively stalking him or her or it is an important detail for the courts and legal matters. Stalking could result in different charges with other remedies and penalties.

Stalking Explained

There are various forms of stalking that usually start with simple actions of one person. These actions may take the form of harassment, bullying and online irritation. However, the individual involved in stalking another person will usually watch the activity of another online, contact others around him or her or say specifically big and little things at certain points. The words the person says could represent defamation in false accusations or details, but the perpetrator takes the matter to the next level in constantly watching and waiting for the target. Some stalking progresses to the point of kidnapping, abduction or even more sinister situations.

What Is Online Defamation?

Defamation through online activity is generally similar to stalking in that the person will follow the other individual and target him or her with posts in social media or through email or chat messages. The written words are usually negative and generally false. The others on the platform may see the messages and could spread the word faster than if the perpetrator spoke the information to a friend or a crowd. The defamation works through harming the person’s reputation or standing online. This could cover a wider range of locations and areas of the country or world than a usual defamation claim.

The Similarities in Stalking and Online Defamation

While the two issues are separate, both involve following a person online. Both could include harassment or bullying the target in some manner. The stalker may remain online and follow through a friend or by making use of a fake profile. In defaming the person, he or she may also use a fake social media profile or a fake name in chat programs. The information disclosed online could contain negative posts or details about situations involving the target. Electronic stalking is sometimes included in both activities to the extent of harming the individual through written words. However, defamation generally ends once the person harms the target online.