Abstract
Individuals’ excessive use of technology-enabled communication platforms, such as social media, has led to scholarly recognition of rising incidences of cyberstalking. Despite considerable studies directed at its examination, the current research on cyberstalking is limited by a lack of clarity on its characterization and prevalence, coupled with a fragmented research focus. To address this limitation, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on cyberstalking has been undertaken. Rigorous protocols were applied to identify 49 empirical studies via Scopus and Web of Science, based on specific keywords and article selection criteria. Findings reveal four emergent research themes on characteristics and roles of cyberstalkers, victims, parents, social media, and online service providers, as well as reporting, coping, and prevention strategies discussed in prior studies. Findings imply the need for temporal and cross-cultural validation of measurement scales and prior results by developing sophisticated, theoretically-grounded frameworks. Based on study findings, a research framework is proposed to assist researchers in future examinations of under-investigated associations and constructs. Implications arise for studying potential pre-emptive factors to address cyberstalking at a societal level by disseminating appropriate information to the general public. There is a need to develop stringent legislation and to induce service providers' active participation to prevent cyberstalking.
Highlights
The prolific growth of technology has engendered a plethora of nextgeneration media and communications platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat) that enable higher degrees of technologysupported interactions between individuals across the globe
The current study aims to undertake a systematic literature review (SLR) of empirical investigations of cyberstalking in the past decade with the specific objective of summarizing past research and delineating agendas for advancing research in this field
Based on our Systematic Literature Review (SLR) findings, we propose that socio-cultural factors, and demographic indicators would influence victims’ response as well as coping mechanisms
Summary
The prolific growth of technology has engendered a plethora of nextgeneration media and communications platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat) that enable higher degrees of technologysupported interactions between individuals across the globe. Scholars acknowledge that a negative or dark side is associated with the excessive use of such Internet and social media platforms: fake news sharing (Talwar et al, 2019; Talwar et al, 2020), cyberbullying (Al-Rahmi et al, 2019), trolling (Salo et al, 2018), problematic sleep (Evers et al, 2020; Tandon et al, 2020) and fear of missing out (Błachnio and Przepiorka, 2018). Cyberstalking is understood as repetitive and unwanted communication or contact that is directed toward an individual through electronic means (e.g., Internet, social media, email or other forms of technology) (Maple et al, 2012; Marcum et al, 2017; Nobles et al, 2014; Paullet et al, 2009; Strawhun et al, 2013). An aspect of cyber-victimization (Lohbeck and Petermann, 2018), cyberstalking is posited to evoke negative emotions such as fear, distress, concern, or helplessness (Al-Rahmi et al, 2019; Maple et al, 2012; Nobles et al, 2014)
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