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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.

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    #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

    TheOwlAndTheFinch Report

    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

    mydogispolly Report

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    Sasy
    Community Member
    3 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.

    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

    GregRawlins Report

    #8

    My Charming Old Babysitter Feels Like I Owe Him

    My Charming Old Babysitter Feels Like I Owe Him

    rixoky Report

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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.

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    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.

    #11

    Fancy Seggs Only

    Fancy Seggs Only

    kegaretai-ai Report

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    Anna Banana
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It funny, and I don't see anything creepy here (besides friends giving away another person's number)

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    Ola Polowczyk
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand why people give away their friends' numbers to other people. I would never do it to my friend without their consent.

    Nomadus Aureus
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True, but you really should not be asking for personal information like their number from other people. I'd have a serious chat with my friends as well tbh. It's never ok to give out someone's number without their consent.

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

    Funny. The problem here is that her number was given out by someone other than her.

    Morgan Carpenter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's with having a friend who just hands out your number? Shannon needs to teach a few lessons.

    Bob Belcher
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When did "hook up sometime" mean sex? You hook up with friends at the bar or at the mall...etc.

    bakkysak09
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "ill wear a tux" LMAO this is the funniest attempt I've seen yet

    Leah Helbig
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do people really text people they barely know if they want to hook up gross no wonder stds are rampant i am glad i am not single you basically have to make people go to the dr before you sleep with them or you might get something that you cant get rid of.

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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

    cuckjeet__singh Report

    #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

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    #16

    I Waited So Long To Post This

    I Waited So Long To Post This

    Nebulabutt Report

    #22

    This Is How I Handle A Creepy Pm

    This Is How I Handle A Creepy Pm

    neva-electra Report

    #23

    Found On Instagram

    Found On Instagram

    reddit.com Report

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    Vorknkx
    Community Member
    3 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

    hevondamrick Report

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    Giulia
    Community Member
    3 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?

    TinyJu Report

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    Giulia
    Community Member
    3 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

    bigsportsguy11111111 Report

    #29

    #justsend

    #justsend

    Rebel99Belle Report

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    Vorknkx
    Community Member
    3 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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