Sextortion is a form of blackmail involving sexual or explicit images. Extortionists threaten to share the images unless the child sends money or more explicit content. Financial extortion disproportionately affects teen boys, usually between the ages of 14-17. (Several analyses suggest 90-98% of victims are boys.) However, it can happen to any kid with access to social media, message boards, gaming platforms, and chat apps.
I recently shared that my son’s friend (who was 12 at the time) was a victim of sextortion via social media. (See Part 2 here.) Luckily, I had been talking about sextortion with my son, and he felt safe enough to call me when it happened. His friend’s story has a happy ending. So many others do not.
To help other parents, I’ve compiled a round-up of articles, resources, and support, based on my own research. Feel free to add your own resource or recommendation in the comments section.
SEXTORTION ARTICLES
Sextortion and teen boys (Newport Academy)
Sextortion and young athletes (ESPN) ←This is the first article I read with my son
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM
@thegamereducator (←If your kid is into online games like Roblox or Call of Duty)
SEXTORTION RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS
Stop sextortion (from Thorn Org)
Staying safe from online harm (Child Help Org)
Online enticement and sextortion (NCMEC)
CRISIS TEXT LINE
Visit crisistextline.org
Students, parents, and staff can text THORN or HOME to 741741 to connect immediately with a trained crisis counselor
REPORT SEXTORTION
Call the Know2Protect tip line at 833-591-KNOW (5669)
Call the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Report online at report.cybertip.org
Take It Down (NCMEC): A free service to help remove or stop the online sharing of images of children taken when they were under 18 years old.
For images taken of those over the age of 18, visit stopncii.org.