Is looking up people on facebook and not contacting them 'stalking'?

[Alex]

Growing up I was taught 'stalking' was a very bad/criminal thing to do. Today the word is thrown about so much it seems to have lost all meaning. Every now and then I look up people I've had crushes on (and exes) just to see what they are up to (not that they are my friends on Facebook). Others it seems view this somehow as 'stalking' since I'm showing curiosity. Does simply being interested in how someone is going constitute 'stalking' on Facebook? Again if there is no contact whatsoever (friend request, message etc.) and it is purely viewing their profile (usually limited to cover photos and the display).

[Matthew C to the L]

It's not "stalking". It's "creeping" ... huge difference.. stalking would be like robbing a bank, creeping - more like stealing a pen.. and plus, if said girl has her stuff set to "public" then she obviously wants people to see her stuff... I will admit, I am a bit of a creeper myself... ne-way hope this helps -

[?]

of course not. and stalking is a stupid teen thing....telling someone they r a stalker. my 16 y old tells me im stalking her. I'm like nooooooooo.....I'm checking out people u r friends with to make sure they r safe. and what? I'm only going to check out the school mates i want to friend?? no....i have interest in what people are doing but if they live a questionable lifestyle or swear ridiculously im ot friending them. besides, if threy didnt want to be seen they wouldnt be on a public site and have everything posted for the public. so go have fun!

[Mr Kus]

If people don't want to be staked they shouldn't be on Facebook.