If you suspect that someone is stalking you online by diligently and continually following you and attempting to contact you, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:

Limit your profile visibility - Check who can see your profile: some platforms offer the possibility to make your profile not visible publicly, meaning that you need to approve an account that wants to follow you. See further advice on how to set account privacy on Instagram, X, and TikTok. On Facebook, you can set a default audience, so that all your future posts are only visible to your friends, for example.

Block and report stalker’s accounts - Use the Block option to prevent a person from contacting you through an online service or engaging with the content you share. In addition, make sure to report the person to the platform for harassing you.

Turn off location services - If you suspect that someone is tracking your location, consider turning off location services on your devices. This prevents them from being able to track your whereabouts without your knowledge. Also, be mindful of unknown AirTags or similar tracking devices as they also present a security risk. For more information on Bluetooth trackers, refer to this guide by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Reduce your online footprint - Limit the visibility of your online content only to your circle of followers or friends. For example, you can limit who can view your Facebook posts and set them to friends only, or set an account to be private using the advice on limiting profile visibility. You can also ask people not to share photos of you online and refrain from tagging you in their posts.

Consider using an anonymous account - In case you need to use an online account for work purposes, create an anonymous account under a made-up name and don’t share it with anyone.

Seek support - If you feel unsafe or threatened, seek support from trusted friends, family members, or a counsellor.

Report to the police - In case you feel frightened for your physical safety, call the police without hesitation.