Facebook has been around since 2004 and has been rising in popularity, with a reported 3 billion users in 2022. However, the widespread availability of platforms like Facebook has led to a spike in crimes like sextortion. As a result, more and more people are left wondering what they can do to protect themselves if they become victims. Keep reading to learn more, including how to report instances of Facebook sextortion.
Methods Used by Perpetrators to Manipulate
Manipulation is often called the art of getting others to do what you want them to do without explicitly asking for it. It is a very subtle form of psychological influence that perpetrators use to control their victims and is primarily involved in sextortion.
- Emotional Manipulation: which involves tactics like attacking the victim’s self-esteem, playing blame games, and guilt-tripping victims into submission, is common technique perpetrators use in sextortion to control their victims.
- Gaslighting: A type of psychological manipulation that distorts the victim’s perception of reality, is commonly used in sextortion cases. It creates confusion and self-doubt in the victim’s mind, making it easier for the perpetrator to exploit them.
- Isolating the Victim: Isolating the victim from their support system is a classic technique used by sextortion perpetrators. This is done through various means, including manipulating photos of the victim, or making false threats aimed at their social connections. Isolation leaves the victim feeling trapped and powerless, making it more difficult to seek help.
- Love-Bombing: Used as a widespread form of manipulation in sextortion cases. Perpetrators use excessive praise, flattery, and affection to lure their victims into a relationship of dependence, making them more vulnerable to further abuse.
- Coercion and Intimidation: Finally, coercion and intimidation are often used to actively control victims, whether through threats of physical harm or unreasonable financial demands, which can come at significant personal cost to the victim.
Steps to Protect Yourself on Facebook Sextortion: What to Do?
To safeguard yourself on Facebook and shield your data, start off by limiting the personal information you share on social media apps like Facebook. This means restricting the number of friends and followers, maintaining a private account whenever possible, and limiting other personal information such as your email address and residency.
Additionally, do not click on links from strangers through Facebook Messenger. Unknown links can contain dangerous material like malware and viruses. Malicious links can harm your system and affect your device’s performance, leading to potential data loss or unauthorized access to your information.
Finally, it is imperative never to share personal or sensitive information on Facebook or any other social media platform. Once this type of information is uploaded to the internet, it is challenging to retract or delete.
Facebook’s Response and Resources
In response to sextortion’s growing problem, Facebook has implemented several resources and measures that aid in identifying and reporting instances of sextortion. These resources include a dedicated Safety Center, where users can learn more about staying safe on the platform and accessing the available tools.
Additionally, Facebook’s Community Standards prohibit the sharing of sexually explicit content without the consent of the person depicted, giving users greater control and protection over their personal information and ultimately allowing them to report these unjust occurrences.
While reporting abuse on Facebook is important, it is essential to recognize that it may not always lead to an immediate response. Therefore, users are strongly encouraged to report any related crimes to both their local police department and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center as well. This will ensure that necessary action is taken against the perpetrator and may help prevent similar abuses from occurring.
Conclusion
It is important to be alert and act quickly regarding sextortion on Facebook. Report the crime to Facebook, the FBI, and local enforcement. Additionally, to prevent future occurrences, make sure you keep your Facebook and social media accounts as secure as possible. All-in-all, following these helpful tips will help protect yourself from becoming a victim of Facebook Sextortion.
If you need additional information on how to report sextortion on Facebook, contact Digital Investigation. Our team of experts is ready to take your call and guide you through the process, offering the support and assistance you need to find peace of mind.
