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What is sextortion? A parent’s guide
Sextortion is when someone threatens to share a sexual image of a person unless they send more images, money, or do something else. Offenders often pose as a teenager on social media or a gaming platform, build trust quickly, and then pressure the child.
How it usually starts
- A friendly message or friend request from a stranger who seems to share your child’s interests
- Fast flattery, then a move to a private or disappearing-message app
- A request for a photo, sometimes after the other person “sends” one first
- A sudden switch to threats and demands once an image is sent
What to know
- Boys and girls can both be targeted
- Some images are fake or edited. The threat still feels real
- Paying rarely ends it. Demands usually grow
- The child is the victim, never the one to blame
What parents can do
Talk early and often, and say clearly that your child will never be in trouble for telling you. If it happens, stop contact, save evidence, report to the NCMEC CyberTipline, and use Take It Down to remove images. See our printable checklist and the Get Help page for step-by-step help.
Safety is built before the crisis
Pick your part and see it through. Prevention works when people follow through.