Sextortion is when someone threatens to share intimate details, sexual images, or videos of a victim if they don’t meet their demands for money or sexual favors. There has been an explosive rise of sextortion crimes, targeting children, all over the country. A few cases have even been reported in Miramar.
Predators, who usually are impersonating teenagers, typically meet their victims on social media sites. They befriend victims and groom them, establishing an emotional connection with the child to lower their inhibitions and eventually coerce them into sending sexually explicit images. Once an image is sent, these predators blackmail or extort victims.
Traditional sextortion offenders typically target girls between the ages of 10 and 17. Financial sextortion offenders typically target boys between the ages of 14 and 17. Victims are generally too scared, ashamed, or embarrassed to tell anyone what is occurring.
The Rise of Financial Sextortion Cases
In 2022, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations received more than 7,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors. The sextortion involved at least 3,000 victims – primarily boys – and led to more than a dozen suicides.
What Can Parents or Caregivers Do?
Educate yourself by familiarizing yourself with your child’s social media use. Have clear rules on social media use and total access to your child’s devices. Know their passwords, approve apps, and monitor online activity.
Know who your children are communicating with. Randomly check your children’s friend list or followers. Adults send friend/follow requests to children every day. They also pose as children. Speak with your kids about not communicating online with individuals they have not met in person. Remember to sporadically check your children’s text messages and direct messages (private conversations) on social media.
It is also critical that you speak with your kids about this scam. Tell them if it happens to stop responding, take screenshots, report and block the user, and to TELL SOMEONE! Children need to know they should NOT send more images, pay any money, respond to demands or continue the conversation. There is help. Sextortion should be reported to law enforcement immediately.
Reporting Crime
If anyone online talks to your child about sex, shares or asks them to share sexual images, or if your child is a victim of sextortion or other crimes, contact your local police department and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at CyberTipline.com or 1-800-THE-LOST.
