To win an IIED claim, you need to prove the sender’s behavior was extreme and outrageous, they acted with intent to cause you severe emotional distress or with reckless disregard for that possibility, and that you suffered severe emotional distress as a result.

Another legal ground is invasion of privacy, specifically a claim for “intrusion upon seclusion.” This recognizes that individuals have a right to be left alone in their private affairs. Your direct messages, email inbox, and text message threads are considered private spaces. When someone intentionally intrudes by sending offensive material, it can be viewed as a highly offensive invasion of your privacy.

It would seem a very difficult argument to apply in this case.