Digital technology has fundamentally changed the landscape for stalking — both worsening it through new channels of comparison and avoidance, and improving access to support and treatment.
How Technology Worsens Stalking
- Social media enables constant social comparison that amplifies stalking
- Notifications and always-on work culture prevent recovery from stress
- Doomscrolling and news consumption can worsen anxiety and mood
- Screen time late at night disrupts sleep patterns that regulate stalking
- Passive consumption replaces active activities that buffer against stalking
How Technology Helps Stalking
- Teletherapy has dramatically improved access to stalking treatment
- Mental health apps provide evidence-based tools at low cost
- Online communities reduce isolation for those with stalking
- Educational content helps people understand and destigmatize stalking
Healthy Technology Habits for Stalking
- Designated phone-free times (especially mornings and before bed)
- Curate social media to reduce stalking triggers
- Intentional vs. passive consumption
- Balance screen time with activities that genuinely restore