The book, published to coincide with National Stalking Awareness Week 2015, offers help and advice to those affected by cyberstalking and advises on the steps people can take to secure their online presence.

Dr Emma Short is the Director of the National Centre for Cyberstalking Research at the University. She said: "Cyberstalking is a crime and should be reported to the police. It creates fear, distress and disrupts a person’s daily activities and can leave them isolated and depressed."

The book also explores how people may become engaged in problem online behaviours and discusses the relationship between internet addiction and cyberstalking. It talks the reader through the signs and symptoms of internet addiction and offers self-help tips. There is also a chapter on how to report cyberstalking to the police and what to expect from the experience.

"Cyberstalking can be a consequence of internet addiction and the inability of that person to form normal healthy relationships,” said Dr Short.

"The internet can be a great way to forget about all your troubles for a certain period of time. However, the individual can then forget there are better and much healthier ways to solve problems than relying on the internet."

The book points to a number of common signs and symptoms for internet addiction

• Losing track of time online
• Having trouble trying to complete tasks at home or work
• Isolation from friends and family
• Feeling defensive or guilty regarding internet usage
• Feeling euphoric while engaged in internet activities

It also offers practical strategies that can be used to control the level of internet use.

‘A Practical Guide To Coping With Cyberstalking’ will be available this week from Amazon priced at £1.99.

Notes to editors 

For interview requests with Dr Emma Short, contact the University of Bedfordshire Communications Team.