Insta-stalking: Stop Doing That!

Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, and to see what's going on in the lives of your favorite celebrities and influencers. But it can also be a breeding ground for unhealthy behaviors.

Insta-stalking is the act of excessively browsing someone's Instagram profile without their knowledge or consent. It can involve looking at their photos and videos, reading their captions, and even checking who they're following and who's following them.

While Insta-stalking may seem harmless at first, it can actually turn into a form of harassment. It can make people feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and even paranoid. Even if the target of the stalking never finds out, the act itself makes the “stalker” feel worse about themselves. 

So, how can you tell if you're Insta-stalking someone? Here are a few signs:

• You check their profile multiple times a day, or even multiple times an hour.

• You feel the need to know who they're following and who's following them.

• You get jealous or angry when they post photos or videos with other people.

• You feel the need to comment on all of their posts, even if you don't have anything meaningful to say.

• You feel like you're "obsessed" with them.

If you can relate to any of these signs, it's important to take a step back and ask yourself why you're Insta-stalking this person. Are you curious? Are you bored? Are you jealous? Are you insecure? Once you know why you're doing it, you can start to address the underlying issue. If you are unable or unwilling to stop the behavior, contact a therapist to get to the root of the issue.