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

Okay I’m sorry for saying this and I’m in no way insulting someone’s body here but I will say this..if I take a “provocative” type of photo I will not include my chubby tummy in it. That’s all I’m sayin. I AM chubby so I feel I can say this lol.

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

That's not the point in sending the picture to a stranger though. Sexual harrassment of this kind, like rape, is often not really about sex but about control and aggression.

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

There's so much to unpack here... but first things first, you should have made him donate, and then called the police anyway :D

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

Yes. At first I assumed she had him donate money so there would be a paper trail back to his real identity. That entire situation needs looked into. If that is a 12 year old CHILD someone make sure she is safe!

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

So they stupidly asked to be their boyfriend even though they said they ALREADY had one, and then called them a "stupid bitch" and "keep dreaming" when they turned him down? Did he mistake the "no thanks" for "yes please" or something?

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

Let's not forget the, "You're 12 so I'm NOT INSISTING". Oh yeah, $50 to a charity will teach him. Effing predator.

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

It took me a while to notice he sent a nude. I actually though he was wearing orange shorts.

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

And I’d actually call the cops an hour after he payed the charity

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Emily D
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If he was gonna be a creep, he could’ve at least asked for her age first (Actually no even then it wouldn’t been wrong)

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

He apologized he didn't know you weren't an adult that's actually nice

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

The only thing that matters to this guy is himself. He’s terribly insecure but he takes it out on others. Suddenly there’s a risk of consequences and he’s groveling to avoid them. It’s interesting how she handled it, but I suspect he hasn’t learned a damn thing.

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

Women get their nudes posted and their careers get ruined. Guys send theirs to torture and annoy others.

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

I think she was clever (even if she wasn't really 12). By sending him a link and making him donate, there was now evidence for the police to track him down.

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

Yeah, sending nudes to a child can't be fixed by making a donation.

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

Only $50???!!!! I would still have called the police. I also would have asked for more like only 50 fricken dollars. Sry if i sound greedy but man...

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

I do hope that he (the DP) learned from this. I applaud the "victim's" resourcefulness and quick thinking to spin this ugly drama to a more wholesome conclusion.

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

Why are there people who do this? Wtf? Warum? Pourquoi? Почему? limadha? I'm a man myself and 100% don't understand

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

I kinda want to screenshot this, to bring up on my screen every so often and remember that although people suck, some just might be redeemable.

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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

heyhowyoudoin262 Report

#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

reddit.com Report

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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

reddit.com Report

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

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