Glossary/Online Safety Basics/Sextortion

what is sextortion

What is Sextortion?

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail in which someone threatens to share sexual images or videos of a person unless they comply with demands — typically for more explicit content, money, or other favors. It can follow from a romantic deception or from hacking private images.

Why It Matters for Families

Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing online crimes targeting teens, and the shame associated with it makes victims less likely to report it or seek help. The FBI reports that sextortion cases involving minors have increased significantly in recent years, with some resulting in tragic outcomes.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • 1Seems suddenly panicked or distressed after an online interaction
  • 2Asks about how to send money to someone online (gift cards, wire transfers)
  • 3Withdraws dramatically and refuses to discuss why
  • 4Stops using apps they were previously active on
  • 5Expresses feelings of hopelessness or shame without a clear explanation

What You Can Do

Do not comply with demands — paying rarely stops the threats and typically escalates them. Report immediately to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov, the NCMEC Cybertipline, and the platform where contact occurred. Contact local law enforcement. Reassure your child that they are not in trouble — the criminal is.

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Related Terms

Online Predators
Online predators are adults who use the internet to target and exploit minors, typically through social media, gaming platforms, or messaging apps. They often use deception — pretending to be peers or romantic interests — and build trust through a gradual process called grooming before attempting to exploit children.
Grooming
Grooming is the process by which an adult builds trust and emotional connection with a child — and often their family — in order to manipulate and exploit them. Online grooming typically involves flattery, gift-giving, shared secrets, and gradually pushing boundaries to normalize inappropriate interactions.
Catfishing
Catfishing occurs when someone creates a fake online identity — using false photos, a made-up name, and fabricated details — to deceive another person, typically to pursue a relationship or manipulate them emotionally. Catfishers often steal photos from other people's social media accounts to make the fake profile convincing.
Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII)
Non-consensual intimate images (NCII), often referred to as revenge porn, is the distribution of private sexual images or videos without the subject's consent. This is a form of sexual abuse and is illegal in most U.S. states and many countries. It includes images that were originally shared consensually within a relationship.
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