FACT: Our kids are susceptible to being victims of sextortion.

This dangerous crime happens when young people accept requests to send revealing pictures or videos; then they are bribed because of the pictures/videos. Kids get to know criminals over time, believing that they are communicating with someone their own age who is interested in the same game or website that they are engaging with – and because of this, many young people fail to see the stranger as a stranger, let alone a criminal who wants to do them harm. After the criminals have one or more videos or pictures, they threaten to publish that content, or they threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images or succumb to financial extortion. The shame, fear, and confusion anyone feels – and especially children – when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse.

FACT: Our kids are not to blame!

The people who commit these crimes have studied how to reach and target children and teens. The FBI put in prison a man in his 40s who worked as a youth minister so he could learn how teens talked to each other. Then, he created social media profiles where he pretended to be a teenage girl. This “girl” would start talking to boys online and encourage them to make videos. Another person offered money and new smartphones to his victims. In one case, the criminal threatened a girl, saying he would hurt her and bomb her school, if she didn’t send pictures. Other cases start with the offer of currency or credits in a video game in exchange for a quick picture.

The stakes are high. According to the CDC, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults; 22% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year and 10% of high school students attempted suicide in the past year.

If a child/student comes to you for help, make sure that they know that they are not in trouble! Your child or student is not the one who is breaking the law. The criminals count on children feeling too unsure, scared, or embarrassed to tell someone. Let your child/student know that:

  • Even if this started on an app or site that they are too young to be on
  • Even if they felt okay about making some of the content
  • Even if they accepted money or a game credit or something else…They are not in trouble!

FACT: Sextortion is a crime because it is illegal and wrong for an adult to ask for, pay for, or demand graphic images from a minor.

If you are ready to report, reach out to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report the crime online at tips.fbi.gov. Agents will work to stop the harassment, arrest the person behind the crime, and help your child or student get the support they need. 

Conversation Starters for Kids

  1. Do you know how criminals trick kids into sending revealing pictures or videos? How could someone try to trick you?
  2. How do you know who you can trust online?
  3. Is being tricked into sending revealing pictures or videos to a criminal the child’s fault?
  4. What should we do (or tell our friends to do) if this happens?

Learn More:

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