🛡️ How to Protect Yourself from Cyberstalking as a Content Creator

Creating content online means being visible. But visibility can come with risk—especially when someone starts to cross the line from “follower” to obsessive, intrusive, or threatening.

Cyberstalking is a form of online harassment that can include obsessive messaging, tracking your activity, doxxing (publishing your private info), impersonation, or threats. If you’re a content creator, it’s crucial to know the signs and protect yourself before things escalate.

Cyberstalking can range from subtle to extreme. Watch for:

• Repeated, unwanted messages across platforms

• Someone showing up in every livestream, chat, or comment thread

• Attempts to find or guess your personal info

• DMs pretending to be someone else (catfishing)

• Using multiple accounts to contact you after being blocked (sockpuppeting)

• Public posts or threats about you

• Tracking your real-time activity (e.g. commenting that they saw you at a location)

• Doxxing, swatting, or leaking private info

If it makes you feel uneasy, anxious, or unsafe, trust that instinct. Harassment doesn’t have to be “extreme” to be serious.

1. Limit Personal Info in Your Public Profiles

Avoid posting:

• Your full legal name (unless essential for branding)

• Your location or hometown

• Daily routines (like gym times or coffee shop visits)

• Information about friends/family without their permission

2. Turn On Privacy Settings

• Lock down who can tag you, message you, or view your stories

• Review friend/follower lists regularly

• Restrict location data sharing on social media (no auto-tags or live location)

3. Use a Business PO Box or Virtual Address

If you're doing brand work, don’t use your home address for deliveries or public bios. Instead:

• Use a PO box or virtual mailbox

• Keep all legal or financial documents separate from your content creator identity

4. Create Boundaries Around DMs

• Let followers know what types of messages you don’t engage with

• Use moderation tools (e.g. Instagram’s DM filters or auto-reply features)

• Don’t feel guilty about blocking or restricting someone

5. Avoid Posting in Real-Time

Sharing photos or livestreams from your current location gives stalkers an advantage. Instead:

• Post after you’ve left an event or location

• Keep location tags vague or remove them entirely

6. Use 2-Step Verification on All Accounts

This stops people from breaking into your accounts—even if they have your password. Activate it on:

• Email accounts

• Social media platforms

• Banking and creator tools (e.g. Ko-fi, Patreon)

7. Keep a Record of Suspicious Activity

If someone’s behaviour escalates:

• Screenshot messages, comments, and account handles

• Save logs of DMs and emails

• Note dates and platforms

If you report or pursue legal action later, this documentation is vital.

8. Don’t Engage

Stalkers often thrive on attention or emotional response. Engaging can escalate things. Instead:

• Block and report quietly

• Consider restricting or muting rather than full blocking if you’re worried about retaliation

9. Tell Someone You Trust

You don’t have to handle this alone. Share concerns with:

• A trusted friend or fellow creator

• A mod, manager, or agency (if you work with one)

• A digital safety organisation like Glitch, Report Harmful Content, or The Cyber Helpline

10. Know When to Escalate

If someone:

• Threatens you or your loved ones

• Doxxes you

• Impersonates you to damage your brand

• Attempts to meet you in person without consent

📞 Contact police or legal services immediately. You are not overreacting—online threats can turn into real-world danger.