Sextortion & Online Extortion Prevent, Respond, Report

How to Talk With Your Child About Sextortion

Prevention script: Say this before your child is on messaging or social apps.

“I’m going to tell you about a scam that targets kids. I’m not saying this because I think you’d do something wrong. I’m saying it because it’s happening, and I want you protected.” Then, share the sequence below.

From your child’s perspective, here’s how it usually works:

• Someone finds kids in games, group chats, or social apps.
• They pretend to be a kid your age.
• They send an attractive (maybe even sexy) photo.
• They act like they really get you—lots of attention, compliments, listening.
• They often try to move the chat somewhere private and push things fast.
• They ask you to send a photo, usually a sexy photo.
• As soon as you do that, they flip: “Pay money or I’ll send this to your friends/family/school.”
• Sometimes they use screenshots or fake images to scare you, even if you didn’t send much.
• Sometimes they threaten to hurt you or your family. That’s a scare tactic to make you panic. They usually don’t know where you are; they’re just trying to scare you. Tell me right away and I’ll keep you and everyone else safe.

Our family rule (the line that matters): If anyone asks for images, money, or secrecy—you come to me immediately, and you will not be in trouble. No matter what.

Your three-step safety plan (memorize this): Don’t send. Don’t pay. Tell a parent.

If Sextortion Happens: Steps for Kids

• Stop responding.
• Screenshot/save the messages, username, and threats.
• Block and report the account in the app/game.
• Tell a parent immediately (even if you feel embarrassed).
• Do not pay. Paying usually increases demands.

What Parents Can Do if Their Child Is Targeted

• Stay calm: “Thank you for telling me. You’re safe. We’ll handle it.”
• Save evidence (screenshots/links/usernames).
• Report inside the platform.
• If there are threats, images, or money demands: report to law enforcement / your national tip line and consider alerting the school if peers are involved.

How to Help Prevent Sextortion

• Lock down messaging: friends-only, no DMs from strangers, and no private video/voice with unknown people in games.
• Teach the red-flag line: “Don’t tell your parents” = tell your parents.

This is one part of a bigger picture. For guidance on screens, phones, and online safety across ages, see the Screens Guide