REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR COMBATTING CYBERSTALKING AND ONLINE HARASSMENT

AUTHORS – DHWANI VRAJESH VYAS* & RAJ ARVIND SHAH**, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT SEVA MANDAL EDUCATION SOCIETY’S SMT. KAMALABEN GAMBHIRCHAND SHAH LAW SCHOOL* & ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT M.K.E.S COLLEGE OF LAW**

BEST CITATION – DHWANI VRAJESH VYAS & RAJ ARVIND SHAH, REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR COMBATTING CYBERSTALKING AND ONLINE HARASSMENT, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (2) OF 2025, PG. 74-76, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

This article is published in the collaborated special issue of M.K.E.S. College of Law and the Institute of Legal Education (ILE), titled “Current Trends in Indian Legal Frameworks: A Special Edition” (ISBN: 978-81-968842-8-4).

ABSTRACT

The rapid proliferation of digital technologies has brought about unprecedented opportunities for communication and social interaction. However, this digital revolution has also ushered in a darker side, marked by the rise of cyberstalking and online harassment. These insidious behaviors, often facilitated by the anonymity and reach of the internet, can inflict severe emotional distress, reputational damage, and even physical harm on victims. This research article examines the evolving legal frameworks aimed at addressing cyberstalking and online harassment, exploring the challenges in defining and prosecuting these crimes, analyzing existing legislation across jurisdictions, and discussing the need for comprehensive and adaptive legal strategies to combat this growing menace.  It also considers the role of technology companies and social media platforms in mitigating online abuse.

Keywords: Cybercrime, cyberstalking, online harassment, Information Technology Act, 2000