The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped many aspects of our lives—including how public figures are stalked and harassed. Lockdowns and increased use of digital platforms have magnified risks for high-profile individuals, necessitating a re-examination of how to protect them effectively. A Surge in Stalking and Digital Harassment Since the onset of the pandemic, public figures—including celebrities, influencers, and political figures—have reported a marked rise in harassment and stalking. Factors such as increased screen time, greater accessibility through social media, and heightened social tensions have contributed to this disturbing trend. Stalking, traditionally seen in physical intrusions and mail, has increasingly shifted online. Stalkers now exploit digital vulnerabilities—hacking into baby monitors, digital doorbells, and tracking individuals through social media platforms. Public figures face unique challenges, as their public lives and openness provide easy avenues for stalkers to exploit. The Vulnerability of Public Figures' Families In addition to targeting public figures, stalkers frequently exploit their family members as a way to exert control or gain leverage. This makes the family a dual vulnerability: they are both at risk themselves and can be a conduit through which threats reach the primary target. The pandemic has intensified this risk, as many family members have become more visible online and therefore more accessible to potential stalkers. For instance, children of public figures, who may be less vigilant about privacy settings or unaware of the risks, can inadvertently reveal sensitive information. A family member's casual social media post, such as sharing a location or tagging a public place, can quickly become a significant vulnerability. This can lead to increased targeting not only of the family member but also of the public figure, whose movements and personal life may be exposed as a result. Family members are also more vulnerable to the psychological impacts of stalking. Unlike the public figure, who may have experience dealing with harassment, family members often have fewer resources and less support. This lack of preparedness can make the experience even more traumatic and can impact the mental well-being of the entire family unit. Psychological Toll on Public Figures and Their Families The psychological impacts of stalking on public figures are significant. Public figures already face public scrutiny, but the additional stress from targeted stalking compounds anxiety, stress, and impacts their ability to function effectively in their professional and personal lives. Behavioral changes driven by these fears can also negatively affect their brand and public image. The families of public figures, however, often face a distinct form of psychological toll. Family members may not be used to the constant scrutiny and may find themselves overwhelmed by fear for their own safety as well as the safety of their loved one. The stress of being watched or targeted can cause family members to withdraw from public activities, limit their social interactions, and develop anxiety or depression. Protecting the family becomes as much about ensuring their mental health as it is about physical security. Preventative Efforts: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Safety The evolving nature of stalking in the post-COVID era requires a robust, multi-disciplinary approach to prevention and protection. Here are practical strategies to consider: Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM): BTAM remains one of the most effective ways to prevent stalking. This approach emphasizes the identification of concerning behaviors early on and takes a systematic, multi-disciplinary path to de-escalate these potential threats. In the case of public figures, this means monitoring social media channels for concerning messages, actively managing and mitigating risks from anonymous threats, and coordinating with mental health professionals, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts to proactively address vulnerabilities. Expert Integration into Trusted Circles: Public figures often have a network of advisors—agents, managers, public relations experts, etc. To fully address the risk of stalking, a security professional with expertise in behavioral analysis, intelligence, and cybersecurity should be embedded within this circle. This ensures there is a dedicated “owner” of the security conversation—someone focused on prevention, who can ease the mental burden on public figures and let them concentrate on what they do best. This integration can help mitigate physical risks, travel and logistics headaches, and even digital exposure, ensuring a comprehensive approach to risk management. Enhanced Digital Footprint Management: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of managing not just the public figure's digital presence, but also the footprint of their family. Stalkers often target family members to gain leverage or access to their primary target. Encouraging family members to limit location-based posts, utilize privacy settings, use pseudonyms, and refrain from publicly posting schedules are important steps in reducing exposure. Establishing safe online practices for family members, using tools like secure communication channels, and minimizing the amount of personal information online are key to ensuring family security. Physical and Digital Protective Measures: Investing in physical and digital security systems is another proactive measure. Ensuring homes are secure with updated and secure smart devices—such as security cameras, doorbells, and access controls—and having a team capable of monitoring these devices is crucial. Similarly, setting up alerts for any unusual activity related to personal data or locations can prevent potential risks from escalating. Maintaining strong cybersecurity hygiene, including frequent password updates, two-factor authentication, and monitoring for data leaks, is also essential. Training and Awareness: Public figures and their staff need to be trained in recognizing early signs of concerning behavior and in best practices for their own safety. Training sessions, led by subject matter experts in behavioral threat assessment and cybersecurity, can empower them to recognize and report potential threats. This training can include simulated scenarios, empowering them to make safer decisions under pressure. Importantly, family members should also be included in this training so they are prepared to respond to threats appropriately and are aware of how their actions online and offline can impact their safety. Coordinated Response Strategies: A coordinated response, involving not only the public figure and their immediate family but also their support network, is crucial for safety. Engaging legal advisors who understand anti-stalking laws and how to leverage them to protect the public figure, along with public relations experts to control the narrative and minimize media exposure, are also important elements of comprehensive security planning. Moving Forward: A Comprehensive Security Mindset The post-COVID world has underscored the need for public figures to adopt a proactive, multi-disciplinary security strategy. Stalking is no longer limited to direct confrontations; it thrives in the digital space, infiltrating homes through seemingly innocent devices, and gaining traction through oversharing on social media. To navigate these challenges, public figures must prioritize prevention by bringing in subject matter experts, embedding security professionals into their trusted team, and ensuring a holistic approach that addresses physical, psychological, digital, and logistical risks. Ultimately, effective protection in this new era is about prevention, not reaction—proactively identifying risks, building strong, trusted teams to address them, and creating an environment where public figures and their families can thrive without the constant threat of intrusion. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stalking-digital-age-protecting-public-figures-jameson-dndac/ -Jameson Ritter, CTM, CPP, PSP, PCI

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped many aspects of our lives—including how public figures are stalked and harassed. Lockdowns and increased use of digital platforms have magnified risks for high-profile individuals, necessitating a re-examination of how to protect them effectively.

A Surge in Stalking and Digital Harassment

Since the onset of the pandemic, public figures—including celebrities, influencers, and political figures—have reported a marked rise in harassment and stalking. Factors such as increased screen time, greater accessibility through social media, and heightened social tensions have contributed to this disturbing trend.

Stalking, traditionally seen in physical intrusions and mail, has increasingly shifted online. Stalkers now exploit digital vulnerabilities—hacking into baby monitors, digital doorbells, and tracking individuals through social media platforms. Public figures face unique challenges, as their public lives and openness provide easy avenues for stalkers to exploit.

The Vulnerability of Public Figures' Families

In addition to targeting public figures, stalkers frequently exploit their family members as a way to exert control or gain leverage. This makes the family a dual vulnerability: they are both at risk themselves and can be a conduit through which threats reach the primary target. The pandemic has intensified this risk, as many family members have become more visible online and therefore more accessible to potential stalkers.

For instance, children of public figures, who may be less vigilant about privacy settings or unaware of the risks, can inadvertently reveal sensitive information. A family member's casual social media post, such as sharing a location or tagging a public place, can quickly become a significant vulnerability. This can lead to increased targeting not only of the family member but also of the public figure, whose movements and personal life may be exposed as a result.

Family members are also more vulnerable to the psychological impacts of stalking. Unlike the public figure, who may have experience dealing with harassment, family members often have fewer resources and less support. This lack of preparedness can make the experience even more traumatic and can impact the mental well-being of the entire family unit.

Psychological Toll on Public Figures and Their Families

The psychological impacts of stalking on public figures are significant. Public figures already face public scrutiny, but the additional stress from targeted stalking compounds anxiety, stress, and impacts their ability to function effectively in their professional and personal lives. Behavioral changes driven by these fears can also negatively affect their brand and public image.

The families of public figures, however, often face a distinct form of psychological toll. Family members may not be used to the constant scrutiny and may find themselves overwhelmed by fear for their own safety as well as the safety of their loved one. The stress of being watched or targeted can cause family members to withdraw from public activities, limit their social interactions, and develop anxiety or depression. Protecting the family becomes as much about ensuring their mental health as it is about physical security.

Preventative Efforts: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Safety

The evolving nature of stalking in the post-COVID era requires a robust, multi-disciplinary approach to prevention and protection. Here are practical strategies to consider:

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM): BTAM remains one of the most effective ways to prevent stalking. This approach emphasizes the identification of concerning behaviors early on and takes a systematic, multi-disciplinary path to de-escalate these potential threats. In the case of public figures, this means monitoring social media channels for concerning messages, actively managing and mitigating risks from anonymous threats, and coordinating with mental health professionals, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts to proactively address vulnerabilities.

Expert Integration into Trusted Circles: Public figures often have a network of advisors—agents, managers, public relations experts, etc.

To fully address the risk of stalking, a security professional with expertise in behavioral analysis, intelligence, and cybersecurity should be embedded within this circle. This ensures there is a dedicated “owner” of the security conversation—someone focused on prevention, who can ease the mental burden on public figures and let them concentrate on what they do best. This integration can help mitigate physical risks, travel and logistics headaches, and even digital exposure, ensuring a comprehensive approach to risk management.

Enhanced Digital Footprint Management: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of managing not just the public figure's digital presence, but also the footprint of their family. Stalkers often target family members to gain leverage or access to their primary target. Encouraging family members to limit location-based posts, utilize privacy settings, use pseudonyms, and refrain from publicly posting schedules are important steps in reducing exposure. Establishing safe online practices for family members, using tools like secure communication channels, and minimizing the amount of personal information online are key to ensuring family security.

Physical and Digital Protective Measures: Investing in physical and digital security systems is another proactive measure. Ensuring homes are secure with updated and secure smart devices—such as security cameras, doorbells, and access controls—and having a team capable of monitoring these devices is crucial. Similarly, setting up alerts for any unusual activity related to personal data or locations can prevent potential risks from escalating. Maintaining strong cybersecurity hygiene, including frequent password updates, two-factor authentication, and monitoring for data leaks, is also essential.

Training and Awareness: Public figures and their staff need to be trained in recognizing early signs of concerning behavior and in best practices for their own safety. Training sessions, led by subject matter experts in behavioral threat assessment and cybersecurity, can empower them to recognize and report potential threats. This training can include simulated scenarios, empowering them to make safer decisions under pressure. Importantly, family members should also be included in this training so they are prepared to respond to threats appropriately and are aware of how their actions online and offline can impact their safety.

Coordinated Response Strategies: A coordinated response, involving not only the public figure and their immediate family but also their support network, is crucial for safety. Engaging legal advisors who understand anti-stalking laws and how to leverage them to protect the public figure, along with public relations experts to control the narrative and minimize media exposure, are also important elements of comprehensive security planning.

Moving Forward: A Comprehensive Security Mindset

The post-COVID world has underscored the need for public figures to adopt a proactive, multi-disciplinary security strategy. Stalking is no longer limited to direct confrontations; it thrives in the digital space, infiltrating homes through seemingly innocent devices, and gaining traction through oversharing on social media.

To navigate these challenges, public figures must prioritize prevention by bringing in subject matter experts, embedding security professionals into their trusted team, and ensuring a holistic approach that addresses physical, psychological, digital, and logistical risks.

Ultimately, effective protection in this new era is about prevention, not reaction—proactively identifying risks, building strong, trusted teams to address them, and creating an environment where public figures and their families can thrive without the constant threat of intrusion.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stalking-digital-age-protecting-public-figures-jameson-dndac/

-Jameson Ritter, CTM, CPP, PSP, PCI