Online messaging is such a daily thing nowadays, it feels like the internet has been around since forever. But actually, it has only been a part of our lives for the last forty years. The first attempts at creating something like it go further back, but the history of the internet as we know it started in 1983. 

Today the internet connects over 5 billion people. Considering the mind-boggling number of users, it might be one of the most groundbreaking technological advancements to this day.

One of the best things about the internet is instantaneous and easy communication. It allows people to get in touch with each other all over the world hassle-free. Typewriters and wax seal stamps are definitely a thing of the past when it comes to regular conversations. (Though, we probably all know a friend or two who still do things the old-fashioned way just for the fun of it.)

The good old postal service has been replaced by electronic mail, usually referred to simply as e-mail. The number of its users reached around 4 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow by roughly 0.6 billion by the year 2025.

E-mail has surpassed regular mail by lightyears. To put matters into perspective, based on 2022 data, the postal service processed and delivered an average of roughly 167 million pieces of first-class mail each day. In the same year, the number of emails sent every day was just over 333 billion.

In addition to that, social media has taken over a monstrous chunk of the communication pie. According to Statista, back in 2021 there were already nearly 4.3 billion users of different social platforms, and the number is anticipated to reach nearly 6 billion in 2027. In addition to that, social media users are considered to be 'super communicators', who use several means at once for staying in touch with others.

They say with great power comes great responsibility, which is true for online communication as well. Being able to use it rather freely does not mean that the words bear less accountability than if said face to face. However, research shows that a growing number of people consider the internet a space that facilitates anonymous activities.

Anonymity is one of the reasons why the parallel online world is brimming with the so-called 'keyboard warriors'. They feel empowered by the advantages of hiding behind a screen and not connecting themselves to their statements, which are often offensive or immoral. If adding a name is mandatory, such “fighters” usually use nicknames or made-up usernames to cover their identities and avoid accountability.

When it comes to communication in the digital world, crossing the line of decency is pretty common. Whether it’s the 'keyboard warriors' or someone using their actual account, they often go on the internet to send hurtful and offensive messages. Such actions can lead to online harassment, which has affected over 40% of adults in the US.

Unfortunately, online harassment is a major problem when it comes to minors as well. Cyberbullying alone affects nearly half (46%) of teenagers ages 13 to 17, not to mention other forms of online abuse. To make matters worse, only 40% of kids bullied online tell their parents about it, and even fewer inform their teachers.

Center For Cyber Safety And Education revealed some alarming statistics that 40% of children (grades 4th to 8th) have chatted or connected online with a complete stranger. In addition to that, as much as 30% texted them from their phone. This way they provided the outsider with personal information, which might lead to receiving improper messages or more dire consequences.

No matter the age, receiving creepy messages is never fun. Even when it doesn’t fall within the frame of harassment, it can have a strong negative effect on the receiver. That is why it’s important to take action. And the first step is reporting the wrongdoers.

Hopefully, the receivers of these creepy messages have reported the “masterminds” behind them. If you want to see some more examples of condemnation-worthy PMs, check out this list of some of the most spine-chilling messages these people ever received.