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⊕ There’s been an 18,000% increase in this crime targeting minors in the U.S. in the past 2 years, resulting in at least 39 teen suicides and 38,000 victims.
Navigating the Digital Jungle is not easy but like lots of things as a parent it’s important that you ‘talk and teach’ your children about important and hugely dangerous aspects of being online.
Sextortion is a form of online exploitation where a perpetrator threatens to share or publish explicit images, videos, or messages of a victim unless they comply with demands, which may include money, more explicit content, or other favours. It can happen to both children and adults, and the perpetrators often use coercion, manipulation, and fear to exert control over their victims.
Targeting: Perpetrators often target individuals online, through social media, messaging apps, or even online games. They may trick the victim into sharing intimate content by pretending to be someone they trust or by hacking into their devices.
Threats: Once they have explicit content, they threaten to share it with friends, family, or the public unless the victim complies with their demands.
Demands: These demands can range from more explicit content to money or other forms of control, like meeting in person or performing specific actions.
Anonymity of Perpetrators: Many perpetrators remain anonymous, using fake profiles or encryption to hide their identities, making them harder to track.
Psychological Impact: Victims often feel trapped, ashamed, or scared, which can lead to anxiety, depression, or even self-harm. They might not seek help out of fear of social stigma or punishment.
Criminal Act: Sextortion is illegal in many countries, and law enforcement can be involved to protect the victim and catch the perpetrator.
Through social engineering: A perpetrator pretends to be a friend, romantic partner, or someone with mutual interests to gain trust and eventually solicit private content.
Hacking: Some perpetrators hack into devices or accounts to steal intimate content.
Fake Modelling or Employment Offers: A scammer might pretend to offer a job or modeling opportunity to trick the victim into sharing explicit content.
Sextortion among teenagers typically happens through online interactions where perpetrators manipulate or coerce them into sending explicit content, which is later used for blackmail. Here’s how sextortion commonly occurs in teens:
Grooming and Manipulation
Perpetrators often start by building trust with teens, pretending to be someone they know or are interested in. They use social media, messaging apps, or gaming platforms to connect, posing as a peer or love interest. After gaining trust, they request explicit images or videos.
Catfishing
Perpetrators often create fake profiles, pretending to be someone attractive or popular, to lure teens into sending explicit photos or videos. After receiving the content, they reveal their true intent and demand money, more explicit content, or favours, threatening to release the images if their demands aren’t met.
Online Scams
Sometimes sextortion happens through phishing scams or fake offers, such as modelling opportunities or job offers, designed to trick teens into sharing explicit content. Once the content is obtained, the perpetrators use it to extort the teen.
Hacking or Stealing Private Content
In some cases, sextortion occurs when hackers gain access to a teen’s private accounts, such as social media or cloud storage, where they steal private photos or videos. The hacker then contacts the teen, threatening to distribute the content unless demands are met.
Peer Pressure and Revenge
Teens can also face sextortion from peers, such as a former friend, romantic partner, or classmate. This might happen in the context of a relationship where private photos were willingly shared. After a falling out or breakup, the other person uses the images to threaten or blackmail the teen.
Sextortion Through Games or Dares
In some cases, sextortion can start through dares, online challenges, or games where teens are encouraged to engage in risky behaviour, including sending explicit content. Once shared, the content is used against them.
Desire for Connection: Teenagers are often seeking social acceptance, friendships, or romantic relationships, making them more likely to trust people they meet online.
Lack of Awareness: Teens may not fully understand the risks of sharing intimate content online, assuming it will remain private.
Online Overconfidence: Teens might believe they can control their online interactions or that their accounts are secure.
Peer Pressure: Teens may feel pressured by peers or partners to share explicit content, especially in the context of relationships.
Fear of Exposure: Once targeted, teens may feel trapped, fearing that their private content will be exposed to friends, family, or schoolmates if they don’t comply.
Do not share intimate content: Even with trusted people, as it can be misused.
Privacy settings: Make sure social media profiles are private and carefully manage who has access to personal information.
Be cautious with strangers online: Avoid sharing personal details or accepting friend requests from people you don’t know.
Report suspicious behaviour: If someone makes you uncomfortable, block and report them immediately.
Do not comply: Do not give in to the perpetrator’s demands or provide more content.
Tell a trusted adult or authority: Report the incident to a parent, teacher, or law enforcement.
Document evidence: Take screenshots of any communications for proof.
Block the perpetrator: Immediately block the person from all communication platforms.
Seek help: Many organisations and helplines are available to support victims of sextortion.
Sextortion is a serious form of cybercrime, and taking quick action is critical to stopping the abuse.
Protecting children from extortion, especially in the digital age, requires a mix of practical safety measures and open communication.
Below are general tips followed by scripts for parents based on children’s ages.
Educate Early: Start conversations about online safety and personal boundaries at a young age.
Set Up Privacy Settings: Ensure privacy settings are active on apps, social media, and games.
Monitor Online Activity: Have regular check-ins about who your child is communicating with online and what they’re sharing.
Limit Personal Information Sharing: Teach children never to share personal information like address, school, or private photos online.
Discuss Online Scams: Make children aware that some people online may lie about their identity or intentions.
Create Safe Reporting Channels: Ensure your child knows they can come to you or another trusted adult if they feel threatened or uncomfortable.
Use Parental Controls: Implement parental controls on devices, apps, and internet usage.
Explain Extortion: Make sure they understand that if anyone tries to use threats to demand something, they should not comply but instead report it immediately.
Maintain Open Dialogue: Ensure your child feels comfortable telling you about anything that bothers them, without fear of punishment.
At this age, children are starting to use devices but may not fully understand the risks. Keep explanations simple and focused on trust.
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