THE DARK SIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: EXPLORING THE PHENOMENON OF REVENGE PORN AND CYBERSTALKING

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of cyberstalking and revenge porn crimes, highlighting the importance of Laws No. 14,132/2021 and 13,178/2018 as crucial legal instruments to criminalize these practices. Cyberstalking, characterized by persistent online harassment via the internet and social media, and revenge porn, involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate content to damage the victim's reputation, are examined in detail. These invasive behaviors can have serious consequences for victims, affecting their mental health, relationships, and even their careers. The text underscores the significance of recent laws, which ensure appropriate punishments, including for virtual crimes, and highlights the challenges faced by victims in seeking help, given the digital nature of the crimes and the ability of perpetrators to hide online. Utilizing a qualitative explanatory research method, the article aims to enhance understanding of the topic, contextualizing it within other areas of law and common knowledge through careful bibliographic and documentary analysis.