Penal Code: Federal — 18 U.S.C. § 2261A

Federal law prohibits using the internet, email, social media, or other electronic communications to engage in a course of conduct involving two or more acts that causes a person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress. Penalties range from up to 5 years in prison for a base offense to life imprisonment if the victim dies, along with fines of up to $250,000.

Penal Code: Federal — 18 U.S.C. § 875(c)

Federal law prohibits knowingly transmitting electronic communications that contain a threat to injure another person, including by email, text message, or social media. The statute applies only when there is an actual threat and does not cover harassment alone. Violations are punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Penal Code: Federal — 18 U.S.C. § 875(d)

Federal law prohibits sending electronic communications that threaten a person's reputation, property, or safety with the intent to extort money or something else of value. The statute is particularly relevant in sextortion cases involving threats to release private or intimate material. Violations are punishable by up to 2 years in federal prison.

Penal Code: Federal — 47 U.S.C. § 223

Federal law prohibits anonymously using a telephone, computer, or telecommunications device to annoy, abuse, harass, or threaten another person through direct communications. The law applies to direct communications between the perpetrator and victim rather than public social media posts. Violations are punishable by up to 2 years in federal prison.

Penal Code: Alabama — Ala. Code § 13A-11-8 / § 13A-6-90

Alabama prohibits using electronic communications to harass, alarm, or intimidate another person, as well as engaging in repeated conduct that causes emotional distress or fear of harm. Online harassment is generally charged as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine. More serious conduct may be prosecuted as stalking, which can be charged as a felony carrying penalties of 1–10 years in prison.

Penal Code: Alaska — Alaska Stat. § 11.61.120

Alaska prohibits electronic communications that threaten physical injury, involve repeated unwanted contact, or are reasonably expected to cause alarm or harassment. Online harassment is generally charged as a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Penalties may increase when the conduct involves credible threats or a pattern of escalating behavior.

Penal Code: Arizona — A.R.S. § 13-2921 / § 13-2923

Arizona prohibits using electronic communications to harass, annoy, alarm, or intimidate another person without a legitimate purpose. The law also covers repeated conduct directed at a specific person that causes emotional distress or reasonable fear. Harassment is generally a misdemeanor, while stalking offenses may be charged as felonies carrying penalties of several years in prison depending on the circumstances.

Penal Code: Arkansas — Ark. Code § 5-71-208 / § 5-71-209

Arkansas prohibits electronic communications used to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, including repeated unwanted contact. Online harassment offenses are generally misdemeanors, with first-degree harassment carrying penalties of up to 1 year in jail. Threats of violence or other aggravating circumstances may result in more serious charges.

Penal Code: California — Cal. Penal Code § 653.2 / § 646.9

California prohibits electronically sharing another person's identifying information with the intent to encourage harassment or unwanted contact. The law also covers online conduct that causes a person to fear for their safety. Depending on the circumstances, offenses may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, with penalties ranging up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Colorado — C.R.S. § 18-9-111 / § 18-3-602

Colorado prohibits using electronic communications to harass, threaten, or repeatedly contact another person in a manner that would seriously alarm a reasonable person. The state also criminalizes cyberstalking conducted through electronic means. Cyberstalking involving a credible threat is a felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.

Penal Code: Connecticut — C.G.S. § 53a-182b / § 53a-183

Connecticut prohibits using electronic or written communications to harass, annoy, or alarm another person. The state also criminalizes electronic stalking and certain forms of repeated unwanted contact. Depending on the offense, penalties range from a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 months in jail to a Class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Delaware — Del. Code tit. 11 § 1311 / § 1312A

Delaware prohibits electronic communications intended to cause annoyance or alarm, as well as patterns of conduct that cause fear or emotional distress. The law covers both harassment and stalking carried out through electronic means. Harassment is a Class B misdemeanor, while stalking may be charged as a Class F felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Penal Code: Florida — Fla. Stat. § 784.048 / § 784.049

Florida prohibits using electronic communications to repeatedly target another person in a manner that causes substantial emotional distress. The law covers online harassment carried out through emails, messages, social media, and other electronic communications. Online harassment offenses are generally charged as first-degree misdemeanors, while more serious conduct involving threats, minors, or other aggravating factors may result in felony charges punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Georgia — O.C.G.A. § 16-5-90 / § 16-11-39.1

Georgia prohibits electronic communications made with the intent to harass, intimidate, or threaten another person. The law also covers repeated conduct directed at a specific person that causes emotional distress. Depending on the circumstances and prior offenses, violations may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies.

Penal Code: Hawaii — Haw. Rev. Stat. § 711-1106 / § 711-1106.5

Hawaii prohibits using electronic communications to cause another person to reasonably fear harm or suffer substantial emotional distress. The law covers both harassment and aggravated harassment by stalking. Base harassment is a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, while aggravated harassment by stalking is a Class C felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Idaho — Idaho Code § 18-6710 / § 18-7906

Idaho prohibits using electronic communications to threaten, intimidate, or harass another person. Online harassment may be prosecuted under statutes addressing electronic communications and malicious harassment. Harassment offenses are generally misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine, though aggravating circumstances may result in felony-level charges.

Penal Code: Illinois — 720 ILCS 5/26.5-1 / 5/12-7.5

Illinois prohibits using electronic communications to make threats, send offensive or indecent material, interfere with another person's communications, or repeatedly contact someone with the intent to harass. The state also has a separate cyberstalking statute. Harassment by electronic communications is generally a misdemeanor, while cyberstalking may be charged as a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Indiana — Ind. Code § 35-45-2-2 / § 35-45-10-5

Indiana prohibits communicating with another person through electronic means with the intent to harass, annoy, or repeatedly send unwanted messages. Harassment is generally a misdemeanor, while electronic stalking may be charged as a felony punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison, with enhanced penalties for aggravating factors.

Penal Code: Iowa — Iowa Code § 708.7

Iowa prohibits electronic communications intended to harass, threaten, intimidate, or alarm another person. The severity of the offense depends on the nature of the conduct, particularly whether threats are involved. Penalties range from simple misdemeanor charges to a Class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Kansas — K.S.A. § 21-6101 / § 21-5427

Kansas prohibits using electronic communications to threaten another person, direct obscene language toward them, or contact them with the intent to harass. Online harassment by electronic means is generally charged as a Class B person misdemeanor. More serious conduct involving threats or repeat behavior may result in enhanced penalties.

Penal Code: Kentucky — KRS § 525.080 / § 508.150

Kentucky prohibits sending repeated unwanted electronic communications with the intent to intimidate, harass, annoy, or alarm another person. Online harassment is generally charged as a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $250 fine. Kentucky's online harassment penalties are among the less severe in the country.

Penal Code: Louisiana — La. R.S. § 14:40.3 / § 14:285

Louisiana prohibits using electronic communications to make credible threats, repeatedly contact someone after being told to stop, or engage in conduct that causes emotional distress. Online harassment offenses may be charged as felonies, with penalties including up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense. Repeat offenses carry significantly higher penalties.

Penal Code: Maine — 17-A M.R.S. § 210-A / § 506-A

Maine prohibits electronically communicating with another person for the purpose of harassment or without a legitimate purpose. The law also covers repeated electronic conduct that causes substantial emotional distress. Harassment by electronic communication is generally punishable by up to 6 months in jail, with more serious penalties available in certain circumstances.

Penal Code: Maryland — Md. Crim. Law § 3-803 / § 3-805

Maryland prohibits harassing another person through electronic communications, including email. The state specifically criminalizes the misuse of electronic mail for harassment purposes. Violations are generally misdemeanors punishable by fines and jail time ranging from 90 days to 1 year depending on the offense and prior history.

Penal Code: Massachusetts — Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 § 43A / ch. 272 § 43

Massachusetts prohibits patterns of electronic conduct that cause substantial emotional distress or make a reasonable person fear for their safety. The law also applies to certain harassing communications sent through electronic means. Penalties vary depending on the circumstances and may include felony charges carrying up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Michigan — MCL § 750.411s / § 750.411x

Michigan prohibits using electronic communications to harass, intimidate, threaten, or target another person online. This includes posting messages or engaging in electronic conduct intended to cause distress. Violations may carry penalties of up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, with enhanced penalties for aggravated offenses.

Penal Code: Minnesota — Minn. Stat. § 609.749 / § 609.795

Minnesota prohibits using electronic communications to harass, intimidate, threaten, or cause emotional distress to another person. Online harassment offenses may be charged as gross misdemeanors, with more serious penalties available when aggravating factors such as threats or prior convictions are present.

Penal Code: Mississippi — Miss. Code § 97-45-15 / § 97-29-45

Mississippi prohibits using electronic communications to threaten, intimidate, or harass another person. The law also covers posting personal information online with the intent to harass. Violations may be charged as felonies and can carry penalties of up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense.

Penal Code: Missouri — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.090 / § 565.225

Missouri prohibits using electronic communications to cause emotional distress, alarm, or coercion. The law applies to various forms of online harassment and electronic misconduct directed at another person. Harassment is generally a misdemeanor for a first offense but may be elevated to a felony for repeat offenses or more serious conduct.

Penal Code: Montana — Mont. Code § 45-5-220 / § 45-8-213

Montana prohibits using electronic communications to threaten, harass, or intimidate another person, as well as engaging in conduct that causes emotional distress or fear of physical injury. Online harassment offenses may result in up to 1 year in jail, with felony penalties available for repeat offenses or aggravating circumstances.

Penal Code: Nebraska — Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.04 / § 28-1310

Nebraska prohibits using electronic communications to harass another person through unwanted or threatening conduct. Harassment offenses are generally misdemeanors, though more serious conduct involving credible threats or repeat offenses may result in felony charges and imprisonment.

Penal Code: Nevada — NRS § 200.571 / § 200.575

Nevada prohibits electronic communications intended to frighten, intimidate, harass, or cause another person to fear physical injury. The law also covers repeated conduct directed at a specific individual. Harassment is generally a misdemeanor, while more serious offenses may result in felony penalties of up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: New Hampshire — RSA § 644:4 / § 633:3-a

New Hampshire prohibits using electronic communications to send abusive or offensively coarse messages, make repeated unwanted contact, or engage in conduct that causes fear for personal safety. Online harassment offenses are generally misdemeanors, though more serious conduct may result in felony charges.

Penal Code: New Jersey — N.J.S.A. § 2C:33-4 / § 2C:33-4.1 / § 2C:12-10

New Jersey has one of the nation's most comprehensive online harassment laws. The state prohibits using electronic communications to harass, intimidate, or target another person and specifically criminalizes cyber-harassment. Cyber-harassment may be punished by up to 18 months in prison for a first offense and up to 5 years in prison in certain cases involving minors.

Penal Code: N.M. Stat. § 30-3A-3.1

New Mexico law makes it illegal to knowingly pursue a pattern of conduct, including electronic communications, that causes another person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress. Cyberstalking-related conduct may be prosecuted under New Mexico's stalking laws. Stalking is generally a misdemeanor for a first offense and may become a felony for repeat offenses.

Penal Code: New York — NY Penal Law § 240.30 / § 240.25 / § 120.45

New York prohibits electronic communications made with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person. Online harassment is generally prosecuted under the state's aggravated harassment laws, which apply to threatening or repeatedly unwanted communications. Violations may be charged as misdemeanors, while more serious conduct can result in felony penalties and imprisonment.

Penal Code: North Carolina — N.C.G.S. § 14-196 / § 14-196.3

North Carolina prohibits using electronic communications to threaten, harass, or repeatedly contact another person, as well as posting personal information online with the intent to harass. Online harassment is generally charged as a misdemeanor, though repeat offenses and aggravating circumstances may result in felony penalties.

Penal Code: North Dakota — N.D.C.C. § 12.1-17-07 / § 12.1-17-07.1

North Dakota prohibits electronic communications intended to frighten, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy, or cause emotional distress to another person. Online harassment is generally charged as a misdemeanor, while more serious conduct may result in felony charges carrying penalties of up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: Ohio — Ohio Rev. Code § 2917.21 / § 2903.211

Ohio prohibits using telecommunications devices, including electronic communications, to send harassing, threatening, or obscene messages. Online harassment is generally charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, though repeat offenses and certain aggravating factors may result in felony penalties.

Penal Code: Oklahoma — 21 Okl. St. § 1172

Oklahoma prohibits using electronic communications or other forms of technology to threaten, intimidate, stalk, or harass another person. Harassment by electronic means is generally a misdemeanor for a first offense but may be elevated to a felony when there are prior convictions or when a minor is targeted.

Penal Code: Oregon — ORS § 166.065

Oregon prohibits repeatedly contacting another person through electronic means when the contact is unwanted and causes reasonable apprehension, as well as using electronic communications to alarm another person by conveying a false report of serious harm. Harassment is generally charged as a Class B misdemeanor.

Penal Code: Pennsylvania — 18 Pa. C.S. § 2709

Pennsylvania prohibits repeatedly communicating with another person through electronic means with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm them. A first incident is generally charged as a summary offense, while repeat violations may be elevated to a third-degree misdemeanor.

Penal Code: Rhode Island — R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-4.2

Rhode Island prohibits transmitting communications through a computer or electronic device with the intent to harass another person or a member of their family. Cyberharassment is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense, while a second offense may result in up to 3 years in prison.

Penal Code: South Carolina — S.C. Code § 16-17-430

South Carolina prohibits engaging in a pattern of conduct directed at a specific person through electronic means that causes emotional distress or fear of bodily injury. First-degree harassment is punishable by up to 3 years in prison, while second-degree harassment is punishable by up to 1 year in jail.

Penal Code: South Dakota — SDCL § 49-31-31

South Dakota prohibits using electronic communications to engage in serious harassment, intimidation, or conduct that causes distress to another person. Electronic harassment is generally charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 1 year in jail.

Penal Code: Tennessee — Tenn. Code § 39-17-308

Tennessee prohibits using electronic communications to threaten bodily injury, make obscene communications, or repeatedly contact another person with the intent to harass them. Harassment is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail.

Penal Code: Texas — Tex. Penal Code § 42.07

Texas prohibits sending repeated electronic communications with the intent to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another person. Harassment by electronic communication is generally charged as a Class B misdemeanor and may be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor for repeat offenses.

Penal Code: Utah — Utah Code § 76-9-201

Utah prohibits using electronic communications to threaten another person with physical harm or repeatedly contacting another person with the intent to annoy, alarm, or harass them. Harassment is generally charged as a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense.

Penal Code: Vermont — 13 V.S.A. § 1027

Vermont prohibits using electronic communications to threaten the commission of a criminal act against another person or their property. Threatening by electronic communication is a felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Penal Code: Virginia — Va. Code § 18.2-152.7:1

Virginia prohibits using a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, or threatening language to another person. Computer harassment is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. The document notes that Virginia is considered to have relatively limited penalties compared to many other states.

Penal Code: Washington — RCW § 9A.46.020

Washington prohibits using electronic communications with the intent to harass, intimidate, torment, or embarrass another person, including making threats, sending lewd or obscene content, or repeatedly making contact. Harassment is generally a gross misdemeanor but may be elevated to a Class C felony when a credible threat is made, carrying penalties of up to 5 years in prison.

Penal Code: West Virginia — W. Va. Code § 61-3C-14a

West Virginia prohibits using a computer or computer network to harass, threaten, or intimidate another person. Computer harassment is generally a misdemeanor for a first offense but may be elevated to a felony when aggravating circumstances are present.

Penal Code: Wisconsin — Wis. Stat. § 947.013

Wisconsin prohibits using electronic communications to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass another person, including sending obscene, lewd, or threatening electronic messages. Harassment is generally a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and may be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor for repeat offenses.

Penal Code: Wyoming — Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-510

Wyoming prohibits using electronic communications to threaten committing a violent felony against another person. The law applies to threats made by any means, including electronic communications. Threatening another person through electronic communication is a felony, and penalties may be enhanced when aggravating factors such as prior convictions, minor victims, or weapon use are involved, with felony penalties reaching up to 10 years in prison.