A recent study by the Cyberbullying Research Center found that 5% of teens have been victims of sextortion, but only one-third of them have told their parents. If you are like most parents, you are probably unaware of teen sextortion until it’s too late. A criminal will exploit a young person’s sense of trust and comfort to manipulate them into sending an image, which sets off the victimization cycle. Sadly, this type of abuse is on the rise and can have long-lasting effects on victims. In this guide, we will discuss what teen sextortion is, how to talk to your teens about it, and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim.
What do You Need To Know About Teens Sextortion?
Teen Sextortion is online sexual exploitation of minors that occurs when someone uses nude or sexual images of someone else to blackmail them into something specific, like sending more photos, or videos, performing certain sex acts, or money. A range of negative consequences results from sextortion, including hopelessness, anxiety, depression, and fear. One in three children engaged in suicide attempts threatened suicide or engaged in self-harm following the victimization. Sextortion can start on any website, app, or game where people meet and communicate
Examples of Teen Sextortion:
- Most of the time criminals pose as children and reach out via social media or gaming apps, pretending to be romantically interested. They eventually trick the kids into sharing explicit pictures or videos and then use those images to obtain money.
- In some cases, the perpetrator will groom the child or teen over many days or weeks. He or she may share an intimate picture or image and ask for another in exchange.
- Or the perpetrators work in teams. There have been instances where a girl and a man have worked together and, once the picture is sent, the whole act is given back to the man who proceeds with the sextortion.
Why Should Parents Talk to Teens About Sextortion?
How to Talk to Teens about Sextortion?
- You might ask them what they know about sextortion and if they’ve ever received any images or content they didn’t request, and what they would do if they found themselves in that situation.
- If a criminal targets them, let them know they can always come to you and they won’t get in trouble for speaking up. Encourage them to block any unknown or stranger messages. Make sure they understand that sharing intimate photos or videos of themselves or anyone else is not a good idea.
- In the event that they are targeted, remind them they will recover from whatever embarrassment occurs. Please let them know it isn’t their fault. A very serious crime has been committed against them.
How to Stop Teen Suicide Sextortion
Let them know that they are the Victim. Often, the perpetrator of these crimes is a grown-up who is part of a criminal organization that has spent years figuring out how to scam children. The perpetrator may be another young person in some cases, but it’s still a serious crime. Discuss your plans for your teen today.
In the event of a sextortion crime, make sure you report sextortion online right away. You can do so by contacting your local police station or Sextortion Hotline 24/7. Go online and report directly to the FBI, using their internet crimes complaint center It is also recommended to seek third-party help immediately. Digital Investigation is a leading expert in this field, so they can help resolve the issue for good. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can assist you in battling teen sextortion.
