Online savvy required in defence against stalkers, Dubai expert warns



DUBAI // The boundaries of social media can be blurred as changing technology offers would-be stalkers new ways to find people, follow them and research their history.

The digital footprint left on social networks, websites and public chat rooms can all help a stalker track their victim.

Checking into homes, airports or public Wi-Fi spots can also pinpoint a location at any time, unless location services are switched off on smartphones and tablets.

To keep young people safe online, parents needed to be up to speed with what their children were doing online and limit screen time, warned Elena Andrioti, a psychologist at the Psychology Centre of the Carbone Clinic in Dubai.

“Most teenagers have a variety of accounts on social networks,” she said.

“Some don’t know how to use them or how to protect their ­information and security ­settings.

“It’s important for adults to get involved and help them understand the dangers.”

There could be a variety of motives for someone becoming a stalker she said.

“Anger, spite or, contrarily, a strong attraction for the person being stalked,” are all reasons she said, as well as developing a sense of control or to terrorise individuals.

nwebster@thenational.ae

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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FIGHT NIGHT

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Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event  
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title

Six undercard bouts:

Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
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Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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Uefa Nations League

League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)

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Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4
(Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)

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