Recently, the FBI issued a warning about this expanding problem on X (previously Twitter). Although anyone can become a target, the FBI provided more specific information on those who are targeted frequently. Declaring
particularly young people who identify as LGBTQ+, people of color, and people who battle a range of mental health conditions, like depression and suicide thoughts
What is Doxing?
The act of doxing involves putting private or personal information about a person on the Internet, usually with bad intentions. The name comes from the words “documents” or “docx,” which mean “personal information” like real names, addresses, phone numbers, or even Social Security numbers.
What is Swatting?
Another type of prank calling is swatting, which includes trying to get a lot of armed police officers (SWAT) sent to a certain address by calling 911. This possibly dangerous behavior started in online game groups and has since spread.
Be Cautious of Gaming and Social Media
Online games are becoming more and more popular among kids, which is a bad thing because it opens the door to possibly harmful behaviors. Even though most gamers don’t have any problems, some people use these platforms to harass, threaten, or even get payback on their rivals by doing things like “doxing” or “swatting.”
Because of the rise in Doxing, the Bureau has asked parents to be extra careful and watch their kids more closely. Parents should keep an eye on what their kids are doing online and be on the lookout for any signs of cyberbullying, such as threats, harassment, or the sharing of personal information.
Parents can protect their kids from these risks by making sure that their kids’ game profiles are set to private, telling them not to share personal information online, and telling them to report any strange or dangerous behavior right away.
What To Do If You’ve Experienced Doxing
In addition to the safety tips, the FBI wants people who have been doxed or swatted to report the crime to their local police and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
This isn’t just to keep kids from being annoyed or embarrassed. Doxing can turn into more serious kinds of harassment, and swatting could end in death. Such issues should be taken very seriously, and parents in North Carolina and across the country should be given the information they need to keep their kids safe.