“Technology causes problems as well as solves problems” is a quote by Jared Diamond that encapsulates the mixed relationship we share with the digital tools of our modern lives. Social platforms like Snapchat can bring a sense of connectivity to our days and help to maintain close relationships with friends. However, certain drawbacks can occur as a result of using the platform irresponsibly, such as cyber-stalking. In this post, we’ll delve into what qualifies as stalking on Snapchat and how to know if someone is stalking you on snapchat.
What is Considered Stalking on Snapchat?
Definitions for what is considered ‘stalking’ vary from case to case, from simply viewing someone’s entire story when you have no connection to them, to more extreme behavior such as frequently screenshotting their posts or sending constant messages despite a lack of response.
While legal action may only be realizable in serious cases of stalking, you should still be informed of whether someone is stalking you via Snapchat and what steps may be necessary to prevent this behavior from occurring.
How To Know If Someone Is Stalking You On Snapchat?
Snapchat has a couple of ways that it keeps users informed concerning what is happening on their feeds. Snapchat shares insights such as who viewed your story, if someone took a screenshot, if someone replayed a snap, as well as providing location data of users via Snap maps. Generally, you can determine whether someone is paying above-average attention to your online activity if they are:
- Watching all your Snap Stories habitually, often while they were recently posted.
- Replying/messaging you frequently without a response.
- Finding you in real life by using data provided by the Snap Map.
- Inquiring as to your real-life whereabouts in the platform without prior plans with you to meet up.
- Regular screenshots of Stories or Snaps from your Snap Story and/or sent to an individual personally.
Luckily, Snapchat will always let you know if someone took a screenshot of anything on the app, so you can stay informed about who is archiving the media you’ve shared with the platform. Less fortunate, Snapchat does not share data about who has checked you out on the Snap Map, so you will have no way of knowing whether someone viewed your location if you choose to leave this information public. Always keep in mind that if you are choosing to keep your location set to public, any of your friends on Snapchat will be able to see where you are in real-time, a feature that updates every time you open the app.
Conclusion
If the volume of messages someone is sending or the voyeuristic behavior of a person on Snapchat makes you uncomfortable, there are several steps you can take to remedy the situation. Snapchat allows a high versatility of privacy settings to ensure that its users are comfortable using the app.
Options for privacy on Snapchat include restricting who can see you in Quick Add, creating Private Stories with only specific individuals that can view them, deciding who you choose as a friend on the app, and whether or not people can see you on the Snap Map. Simply head over to the ‘Privacy’ section in Settings on the app, and you will be able to adjust all of these settings to your preference.
If someone is online harassing or bothering you, you can remove them as a friend, or even block and report them in serious cases. To decrease the chances of being stalked on the platform, make sure to only accept add requests from people you know and want to communicate with on the app.
Ultimately, the determination of how to know whether someone is stalking you on Snapchat is up to you. If you enjoy the attention provided by admirers and friends on the platform, more power to you! If you feel more comfortable decreasing the visibility of your content to certain users, consider taking some of the steps outlined in this post to tighten your privacy settings.
