Social networking sites should make it much easier for users to report serious online abuse.
The first British study into cyberstalking found victims were more likely to be harassed on sites like Facebook than by email or mobile phone.
The study wants sites to sign up to a code of practice setting out how they will deal with threats and abuse.
The research was presented to MPs as part of a wider parliamentary inquiry into the problem which is expected to report back next year.
353 British victims of cyberstalking were surveyed for the study.
Half of them said the person harassing them was either unidentified or a complete stranger.
That's a much higher rate than in face-to-face stalking cases where the perpetrator is more likely to be an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. Victims reported a range of health problems from sleep disorders to stress and depression.
Female victims in the study were more likely to worry about their personal safety and the safety of close family members. While men tended to worry about the damage to their reputation online.
The authors of the report say websites, internet service providers and mobile phone companies all need to put in place stricter procedures to deal with this type of electronic harassment.
They say some police forces also need to take complaints about internet stalking much more seriously.
Social