By definition, stalking is a constellation of behaviours in which an individual inflicts upon another repeated unwanted intrusions and communications(Mullen, 1999).
So technically, facebook stalking isn't really stalking in the literal sense, but (all you facebookers out there should relate!)facebook allows people to keep track of others, monitor other peoples opinions, feelings, personal details, pictures and general life story, with one thing that completely distinguishes itself from stalking - it is all with permission!
But wait, hang on...look what google produces (yet again, good old faithful google, how I adore you!)... Facebook Stalker definition! Of course there is! why the hell wouldn't there be...so here it is..
Someone who is obsessed with someone else and stalks them on facebook. Not always traceable or noticable, but clues are: wall posts replying to every status update, viewing every posted picture of the stalked, etc...
An individual who secretly looks up people on facebook, going through albums, comments and personal information to piece together a picture of this person. Potentially developing into an obsession.
It amazes me how much information people are willing to put on the internet, visible to anyone at all. I am a facebooker myself, but my profile is set to 'private', and only my friends (or acquaintances)are able to see it. It horrifies me to think that strangers could be looking at not only my photos, but basic information like date of birth, place of work, study etc...information which is only basic, but, is really not the business of people I do not know!
But here is some admission on my behalf, I regularly check other peoples profile - especially when the status changes from 'In a Relationship' to 'Single' to read all the drama - but its silly really - especially when I haven't seen nor spoken to that person for, say, 2 years!
This is a light hearted approach to the subject of facebook stalking, but, realistically, there is also a sinister side involving less sincere and genuine people. For example Peter Chapman killed 17 year old Ashleigh Hall after deceiving her using a fake profile. Whilst many people have positive stories to tell regarding facebook, there are those vulnerable members of society who may be at risk - not only from facebook, but other internet chat rooms and social sites, at risk to those people who use the internet as an easy means of manipulation and deception.
It's an interesting issue - people upload personal info and pics etc with the intent for them to be seen by others, but for some it can be a source of obsession. If I used sites like facebook I'd definitely set my profile to private, but I think maybe people don't always do this because they don't feel the need to prepare for people becoming obsessed over them. Stalking has always been around, but with the invention of social networking it has made stalkers' jobs a lot easier as you have pointed out that they can now find out all kinds of information about someone online - from their name, age and where they live to getting some idea of what their personality is like.
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