What is impersonation?
Impersonation is the act of taking on an identity that is false for the purpose of tormenting a person or damaging their reputation. Impersonation can also be acted out by pretending to be the victim or creating a false identity or profile.
• Impersonation can include developing a screen name that is similar to the victim’s name and then posting rude or hurtful remarks while pretending to be the victim.
• Impersonation can include changing another person’s online profile to include sexual or racist remarks, or other inappropriate or unpleasant things.
• Impersonation can include posing as the victim in a chatroom or on social media. Impersonation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can be reported to the sites.
• It is illegal to use other people’s username and password details.
Removing or blocking friends or followers
• Facebook: Click on their profile then on the ‘Friends’ dropdown button on their cover photo and you will see the option to ‘unfriend’. To block a person, click on the button with three dots on their cover photo and you will see the option to ‘block’.
• Twitter: To remove or block someone on Twitter, click on the button with three dots to the right of the ‘Follow’ button and you will see the options to ‘Block’ or ‘Report’ the user.
• YouTube Go to your account page and click on the ‘All Contacts’ link in the ‘Friends and Contacts’ section. Choose the person you want to unfriend and the click on ‘Remove Contacts’. From then on, the person won’t be on your ‘Share Video’ list.
• WhatsApp: To block someone, click on their name and you will be taken to a dropdown menu where you can then choose to block the person.
• Snapchat: To block a user who added you, tap ‘Added Me’ on the profile screen, then tap their name and tap the wheel icon next to their name. Press ‘Block’ to prevent them from sending you snaps and chats, and even from viewing your stories.
• Instagram: To block or report someone, tap their username to open their profile, then tap the three dots in the top right-hand corner and press ‘Block’ or ‘Report’.