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A recent report from Pew Research Center has shown that roughly 4 in 10 of US adults have personally experienced online harassment. 75% of people, stated that the majority of abuse happens on social media, and 24% of the abused indicated that texting or messaging apps were where their most recent experience occurred.

Recently, Instagram has launched a new feature to filter abusive messages in DMs. Twitter has also revealed a new prompt that asks users to think twice before posting an abusive message. However, the problem of online harassment seems to have permeated all layers of our online presence, and these tools may reach just the tip of the problematic iceberg.

So in order to see what really happens in these dark pages of private messages where people are constantly made to feel really uncomfortable, the subreddit r/CreepyPMs has shed some light on things that end up in our inboxes.

“A place for people to share the strange and disturbing PMs they get from all over the internet,” says the group’s description and it’s honestly the part of the internet we all would be better off without.

#3

He's Been Begging For Weeks To Do A "Sexy Roleplay" With Me. I Finally Said Yes. I Think He Regrets Everything Now

He's Been Begging For Weeks To Do A "Sexy Roleplay" With Me. I Finally Said Yes. I Think He Regrets Everything Now

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The internet has given us incredible freedom to communicate with people across the globe, share our thoughts, and get to know things all without leaving the house. But it came with the price of putting too much freedom in people's hands in a virtual space where identities, actions, and accountabilities for them are often blurred.

The rise of cyberbullying and online harassment via private messages, comments, online groups, and forums has reached its peak. From impersonation accounts to hateful slurs, death threats, unsolicited messages of a sexual nature, and so on, the problem is pervasive and ever-growing.

#5

Seems Like A Stable Guy

Seems Like A Stable Guy

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Sasy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another call to the cops, that is a threat of violence if not giving sex.

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And to fight it, it’s important to identify and be aware that you or someone close to you has become a target of online harassment. It’s when an abuser uses technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. It happens on devices like smartphones, computers, tablets, and gaming systems.

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Sometimes cyberbullying can be easy to spot—for example, if your child shows you a text, comment, or post that is harsh, mean, or cruel. Other acts are less obvious, like posting someone's personal information, or using photos or videos that hurt or embarrass another person.

#7

Saw This On Tumblr, Yes Sorry On Tumblr

Saw This On Tumblr, Yes Sorry On Tumblr

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#8

My Charming Old Babysitter Feels Like I Owe Him

My Charming Old Babysitter Feels Like I Owe Him

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Harvard Business Review has reported that people of color and LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately targeted, and women are twice as likely as men to experience sexual harassment online.

PEN America, which stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide, has created a useful Online Harassment Field Manual that will give you more information on navigating online abuse. Most importantly, remember that you’re not powerless and that there are concrete steps to be taken.

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#12

Sell Me Your Baby!

Sell Me Your Baby!

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Anne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This lady needs mental help. And the receiver should inform the police, just in case the lady goes more mental and kidnaps

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StormWolf
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please be careful. Take this seriously. Watch out for this person and show this to the authorities. She is obviously unwell and therefore dangerous.

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Zena Marsh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't post anymore photos! This lady needs medical help asap. Inform the police.

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Warrior Mama
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent example to illustrate the importance of having private accounts on social media!!

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Dhukath
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of these are funny, some of these are scary and some are, well, next level f*cked up!

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Bob Belcher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She needs mental help and I'm not being funny. A mom died several years back in Houston when a women stole her baby. She died fighting for her child.

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Sinkvenice
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sincerely hope this person was reported to the police, she's clearly not right.

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Holes2Heaven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh hell no, this person is seriously screwed in the head. Take your kid off Instagram and get a whole house alarm system

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Drive Bee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope they reported this one to police, that needs to be on record.

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Rukkia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is the reason why I keep my kids off of my social presence.

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMFG. That is the most scary s**t imaginable for a new parent.

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LMS
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Instant visit to the police station and maybe an FBI report too!

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Eva Sawyer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the f**k kinda crazy s**t is this? I hope that she reported the person to some sort of authority. I have had multiple pregnancy losses, and not once did I ever offer to buy someones baby - off social media no less!

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One more reson to not expose your children on the internet

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah sure, why not? I just went through 10 months of pregnancy and 30 hours of labor, but who cares? Of course you can have her!

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Wednesday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Find out all her info, report the cyberstalking and block, block, block! Then maybe move and change your number, and make your settings so people cannot friend you or see personal content without your approval/friending.

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BrilliantBob
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is fake. It says "Text Message" at the top. First, I've never seen that, it has a number or a name. Second, if this was a rando on FB, how did she did the mom's phone number? She would have messaged her on Messenger. I call BS

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julia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and the name/number was covered in white, right under the profile picture of the default 👤

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Livy Gallant
Community Member
2 years ago

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i shouldn't be laughing. i shouldn't. be laughing. i should not laugh. this is terrible. i should not. be. laughing.

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Stephanie Keith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're as messed up mentally as the lady asking to buy another woman's baby. Why are you laughing? Both of you are sick. Smh.

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#13

This Was The Best Anime Character Arc Of All Time

This Was The Best Anime Character Arc Of All Time

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#14

I Was Super Bored And Decided To Try The "Meet New People" Feature Of Kik. Never Again

I Was Super Bored And Decided To Try The "Meet New People" Feature Of Kik. Never Again

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#15

After I Declined His Request For Nudes He Complimented My Boyfriend

After I Declined His Request For Nudes He Complimented My Boyfriend

kyekyekyekye Report

#16

I Waited So Long To Post This

I Waited So Long To Post This

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#21

M'queen

M'queen

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#22

This Is How I Handle A Creepy Pm

This Is How I Handle A Creepy Pm

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#23

Found On Instagram

Found On Instagram

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Vorknkx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooooh, look at all the raw lust dripping from these slutty headphones :D

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#24

Got A Text From A Random Number Today

Got A Text From A Random Number Today

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Giulia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

orrrr he could have just talked to her irl instead of being a creep. on second thought maybe it's better this way so she knows he is a creep and can block him right away

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#25

Smh, Who Wouldn't Date Shrek?

Smh, Who Wouldn't Date Shrek?

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Giulia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

beside the cringe in the first message what the f**k was he trying to prove with the "wearing jeans and a t-shirt"? i'm lost

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#28

My Friend Just Turned 21 He Wanted To Grab A Beer With His Brother And Sister. They Were Supposed To Meet His Sisters New Boyfriend. But He Ghosted Her. Well They Found Out Why He Ghosted Her The Other Night

My Friend Just Turned 21 He Wanted To Grab A Beer With His Brother And Sister. They Were Supposed To Meet His Sisters New Boyfriend. But He Ghosted Her. Well They Found Out Why He Ghosted Her The Other Night

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#29

#justsend

#justsend

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Vorknkx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh, this is nothing. I suffer from an even rarer disease - I need people to randomly give me money for no reason, or else my skin turns green and I die :(

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#30

There’s A Reason The App Only Lets You Message People With Mutual Interest

There’s A Reason The App Only Lets You Message People With Mutual Interest

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Note: this post originally had 38 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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