Stalking and Harassment: What to Do If Your Child Is Being Threatened
Jan 12, 2026
First published August 2018 Updated January 2026
When you hear the word stalking, you might picture a stranger following someone down the street. Today, stalking often looks very different. It can happen through phones, social media, gaming platforms, GPS tracking, and repeated unwanted contact, sometimes without the person performing the stalking behaviors ever being physically present.
The term “stalking” is often used casually online, like joking about “Instagram stalking” someone’s profile. However, real stalking is serious, frightening, and dangerous. It affects people of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. Technology has made it easier for someone to monitor, harass, or intimidate another person around the clock.
What Is Stalking?
Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear, distress, or safety concerns. These behaviors can happen in person, online, or both, and often escalate over time.
Examples of stalking behaviors include:
Repeated unwanted texts, calls, messages, or emails
Monitoring someone’s social media or online activity
Showing up uninvited at school, work, or activities
Tracking someone through apps, devices, or shared accounts
Sending unwanted gifts or messages after being told to stop
Threats, intimidation, or attempts to control another person
Stalking is a crime, not a misunderstanding or a relationship issue.
Why Stalking Is a Serious Concern for Young People
Current research continues to show that:
Young people experience some of the highest rates of stalking, particularly teens and young adults.
Most victims are stalked by someone they know, such as a dating partner, ex-partner, acquaintance, or peer.
Stalking frequently overlaps with other forms of abuse, including dating violence, sexual abuse, and harassment.
Technology plays a major role, allowing stalkers to reach victims at any time and from anywhere.
Important Update: Ohio Law and Stalking
Ohio has strengthened its laws to better protect victims. Stalking (also known as “menacing by stalking”) is now a felony offense in Ohio, reflecting how serious and harmful this behavior is. This change recognizes that stalking is not a minor issue and gives law enforcement and the courts stronger tools to intervene earlier and hold offenders accountable.
If you live in Ohio and believe your child is being stalked, reporting the behavior can now lead to more meaningful legal protections and consequences.
What Can You Do If Your Child Is Being Stalked?
If you think your child may be experiencing stalking or harassment:
Document everything.
Keep a detailed record of incidents, including dates, times, screenshots, messages, locations, and any witnesses. Even behaviors that seem “small” can show a larger pattern.
Report it.
Contact your local law enforcement agency to make a report. Documentation can help support protection orders and criminal charges. A legal advocate can help guide you through the process.
Tell trusted adults and organizations.
Notify school staff, employers, coaches, or activity leaders if appropriate. Extra awareness can improve safety and monitoring.
Create a safety plan.
A local advocacy organization can help you and your child develop a personalized safety plan that addresses both online and in-person risks.
Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
Explore protection orders.
Your local prosecutor’s office or a legal advocate can explain how to request a protection order and what options are available.
Technology Safety Tips for Families
Because stalking often involves technology, digital safety is critical:
Review privacy and location settings on phones, apps, and social media accounts.
Turn off location sharing unless it is absolutely necessary.
Regularly update passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Check for unknown devices, apps, or shared accounts that could allow tracking.
Avoid posting real-time locations or identifying details online.
Talk with your child about online boundaries and what to do if someone makes them uncomfortable.
You Are Not Overreacting
Stalking is about control and fear, and it should always be taken seriously. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it deserves attention and support.
If you or your child are experiencing stalking or harassment, help is available locally. You do not have to navigate this alone.
Provides trauma-informed care, advocacy, safety planning, and support for children and families impacted by stalking, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse. The Green Flags campaign also offers valuable resources and support, including a call, text, or chat line available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Alena Schuckmann is the Digital Communications Specialist for The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Alena graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in art from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Alena is a skilled digital content creator who has had various articles and photographs published locally and nationwide.
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