Parents Must Warn Children About Online Sextortion Threat

In an effort to protect their children from online threats, parents are advised to add another risk to their children’s list: sextortion. According to online safety experts, this new threat is not only real but also highly evolving and ruthless. Sextortion involves predators or scammers using social media platforms to pressure teenagers into sending explicit images, which are then used as leverage for financial gain or blackmailed.

The issue of sextortion is not new, but evolving tactics and tools, such as deepfake software, have made it easier for perpetrators to target and extort teenagers. A staggering number of victims have died by suicide after being targeted by organized criminal groups originating from Nigeria or Cote d’Ivoire. Victims are often coerced into paying the scammer or risk having their explicit images shared online.

Experts emphasize that parents cannot rely solely on platforms to keep their children safe from sextortion. While platforms may remove accounts or provide guidelines, there are no guarantees against becoming a target. In fact, even if a teenager declines to send explicit images, the perpetrator can steal a photo from their social media account and create an explicit deepfake, threatening to send it to everyone they know.

To reduce the risk of sextortion and defend themselves if it happens, parents should have open and frequent conversations with their children about online safety. Discussions should be judgment-free, focusing on red flags and exit strategies rather than unrealistic expectations. Parents should also help their children understand the consequences of sharing explicit images and how to respond if they are extorted.

Some online safety experts recommend a "zero trust" approach to encounters that feel off or uncomfortable. Parents should also help their children develop a plan to anticipate and respond to sextortion attempts, including reporting the incident to the platform or a trusted adult.

Ultimately, while the threat of sextortion may seem daunting, parents can take proactive steps to educate and protect their children. By having open and honest conversations about online safety, parents can help their children feel empowered and confident in their online interactions.

Sources:

• Thorn, a nonprofit organization that builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
• Cellebrite, a digital investigative firm