What is cyberstalking, and how has this crime changed some previous notions of criminal behavior? ...

Cyberstalking refers to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communication devices to stalk another person. Traditional stalking involves repeated harassing or threatening behavior, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. In the Internet age, stalkers can pursue victims through online chat rooms. Pedophiles can use the Internet to establish a relationship with a child and later make contact for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual activities. Research by Janis Wolak and her colleagues found that publicity about online predators who prey on naive children using trickery and violence is largely inaccurate. Today, Internet predators are more likely to meet and develop relationships with at-risk adolescents and beguile underage teenagers, rather than use coercion and violence.