June Internet Safety Month Sextortion Prevention and Awareness

June is Internet Safety Month, and one of the most pressing concerns online is sextortion. It's a crime that can have devastating consequences for its victims.

Sextortion is a form of online harassment where a perpetrator threatens to release intimate images or videos of a victim unless they comply with their demands. These demands can range from financial extortion to non-consensual sex.

One in five Americans have been a victim of sextortion. This is a staggering statistic that highlights the need for awareness and education about this issue.

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Talking openly with kids about their online experiences is crucial. They should feel comfortable sharing their concerns or incidents with you. Let them know you're there to listen and help.

Set clear guidelines about screen time, websites, and apps. Use parental controls to block harmful content. This will help prevent kids from accessing explicit material.

Teach kids to protect their privacy, avoid talking to strangers online, and think before they post. Remind them that the internet has no delete button, and what they do online can have lasting consequences.

Avoid clickbait headlines that lure users into clicking on harmful or inappropriate links. Verify the source of a link before clicking, and be cautious of suspicious or sensationalized titles.

If you encounter inappropriate content, report it to the platform's moderators. Most platforms allow users to report and block harmful accounts. This will help protect your feed and prevent others from being exposed to the same material.

Oversharing online can make you a target for scams or harm. Be cautious about what you post and who you interact with, especially on public platforms.

Keep an eye on what your kids are doing online. Use family-friendly tools to monitor their activity without invading their privacy. Parental controls are a great way to block inappropriate content on devices, browsers, and streaming platforms.

Here are some common tactics used to entice children online:

If you suspect online enticement or exploitation, report it to local law enforcement and the CyberTipLine (1-800-843-5678). Reassure the child that they are the victim and not in trouble.

To stay safe online, protect your identity and personal information. Avoid sharing personal details like your real name, address, school, or birthday. Never share banking information or your social insurance number.

Use strong passwords and change them often. Choose a nickname for your username to protect your identity. Change your account privacy settings from public to private.

Before posting online, ask yourself:

Remember, the internet has no delete button. Even if you click 'delete', the things you do and say online could have already been forwarded, saved, or screenshotted.

To maintain online safety, maintain open and honest communication with kids. Familiarize yourself with each platform's privacy settings and keep as much information private as possible. Don't accept follow or friend requests from strangers. Learn how to report and block harmful accounts.

Online grooming happens when someone, usually an adult, tries to become friends with someone younger to control them and take advantage of them for a sexual purpose. The most common tactics used to entice children online include engaging in sexual conversation/role-playing, asking for sexually explicit images, developing a rapport through compliments, sending or offering sexually explicit images, pretending to be younger, and offering an incentive.

NCMEC reports that in 2024, they received over 456,000 reports of online enticement, including sextortion. The FBI issued a formal warning about sextortion in 2022, citing a 7,200% increase in financial sextortion targeting children from 2021 to 2022.

Sextortion is blackmail, where a perpetrator demands additional imagery or money from a child victim, threatening to expose their images to their friends, family, or public if they don't comply. Reports of Child Sexual Abuse Material increased 87% between 2019 and 2023.

To protect children, it's essential to talk openly with them about online safety, set rules, and teach smart habits. This includes avoiding clickbait, reporting and blocking suspicious content, and not oversharing online. Parents should also be role models and practice good habits themselves.

Here are some common tactics used to entice children online:

If you or someone you know has nudes or other compromising photos of you circulating online, there is hope. Go to takeitdown.ncmec.org to start the process, and NCMEC will help you remove the imagery from the internet.

If you're experiencing sextortion or feel threatened online, it's essential to take action and seek help. Call 911 or contact the police if you fear for your safety or if a crime has occurred.

Stop communication and block the person who's threatening you. Screenshot or save any content to keep on record in case you need proof later.

Adjust your privacy settings, change your passwords, and report any fake profiles to prevent further harm. Report the behavior to the website where it happened.

DO NOT comply with threats by paying money or sending additional images/videos, as this won't make the situation better. If you've already paid money, try to cancel the payment.

Talk to an adult you trust about what's happening, as they can offer valuable guidance and support. You can also reach out to Kids Help Phone for confidential support.

For online grooming and sextortion, report the incident to cybertip.ca, a website dedicated to reporting online sexual exploitation of children and youth. If you need help stopping the spread of sexual pictures or videos, visit NeedHelpNow.ca for support.

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Online interactions can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, social media and online platforms provide a great way to connect and share with others, but on the other hand, they can also be used for harm. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), online enticement, including sextortion, is extremely common.

The most common tactics used to entice children online include engaging in sexual conversation or role-playing, asking for explicit images, developing a rapport through compliments or shared interests, and sending or offering explicit images. These tactics are often used by individuals who are trying to groom children for exploitation.

To stay safe online, it's essential to be cautious when interacting with people you don't know. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Remember, the internet has no delete button, and what you do online can have real-life consequences. So, be mindful of what you share and who you interact with online.

Social media can be a great way to connect and share what's going on in our lives, but it can also be used for harm. Some people can pretend to be who they're not.

It's essential to be cautious with people online, especially when pressured into doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to deal with it – you can block them!

You should also change your account privacy settings from public to private to protect your identity. Using a nickname for your username can also help keep your identity safe.

If you're going to post photos online, make sure to look at the entire photo before posting to ensure the background doesn't show your location, school, or home. It's also a good idea to talk to a trusted adult about your online relationships.

Remember, the internet has no delete button, so only do or say things online that you would do in the real world. You can report any activity that makes you uncomfortable at CyberTipline.org.

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Here are some questions to ask yourself before posting online:

• Is this how I want people to see me?

• Does this post reflect who I am and what I value?

• How would I feel if this post was shared with others?

• What are the positives about posting? What about the negatives?

• Would I be okay with someone seeing this in the future (5, 10, or 20 years later)?

By being mindful of these questions and following these tips, you can stay safe and responsible on social media.

Gaming has become a popular activity for kids and adults alike, with online interactions happening every day.

Online gaming has become increasingly popular with children and adults of all ages and genders in recent years.

You should keep open communication with your kids, especially older ones and teens, about who they're interacting with online.

You can learn more about online gaming safety at: missingkids.org/netsmartz/topics/gaming.

Be cautious of strangers online, as they may use sextortion tactics to manipulate and exploit you.

Keep your personal information private, as sharing it with strangers can lead to sextortion.

Don't share explicit content with someone you've just met online, as it can be used against you.

Remember, sextortion is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences, including emotional trauma, financial loss, and even physical harm.

If you're a victim of sextortion, report it to the authorities immediately.

Livestreaming can be unpredictable, with explicit, illegal, or disturbing content appearing without warning.

Livestream videos are not moderated, which is why it's essential to be cautious when watching them.

These videos can be recorded and saved by users, and later posted online, even after the initial livestream is over.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has seen increased reports of exploitative content in livestreams, putting children at risk.

Livestreaming is particularly popular among young people, which is why it's crucial for parents and caregivers to be aware of the potential dangers.

Sextortion is a type of blackmail where a perpetrator demands additional imagery or money from a child victim, threatening to expose their images if they don't comply.

A perpetrator will often obtain an inappropriate sexual image or video from a child victim through deceit, coercion, or some other method.

To learn more about starting the discussion, visit missingkids.org/sextortion.

Parents should know that sextortion can be prevented by educating their children about online safety and the risks of sharing explicit content.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sextortion, there are resources available to help, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at missingkids.org.

Parenting in the digital age can be overwhelming, but it's essential to stay informed and proactive about online safety. Cyberbullying is hurtful and dangerous, and can be a crime depending on the situation.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reports that in 2024, they received over 456,000 reports of online enticement, including sextortion. Online grooming happens when someone, usually an adult, tries to become friends with someone younger to control them and take advantage of them for a sexual purpose.

To stay safe online, it's essential to teach kids about online etiquette and digital citizenship. Encourage open communication with children, so they feel comfortable discussing any concerns or incidents they come across. Let your children know they can always talk to you.

The most common tactics used to entice children online include engaging in sexual conversation/role-playing as a grooming method, asking for sexually explicit images, developing a rapport through compliments, and sending or offering sexually explicit images. Report to local law enforcement and to the CyberTipLine online or by calling 1-800-843-5678 if you encounter online exploitation.

Here are some tips to help you stay involved and informed about your child's online activity:

By being proactive and informed, you can help your child stay safe online and build healthy online relationships.

Internet Safety Month is a vital time to raise awareness about online dangers, particularly sextortion. Almost every kind of online danger has spread like wildfire since 2005.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reports a 7,200% increase in financial sextortion targeting children from 2021 to 2022. Sextortion is such a big problem that the FBI issued a formal warning.

Online enticement and sextortion are extremely common, with NCMEC receiving over 456,000 reports in 2024. The most common tactics used to entice children online include engaging in sexual conversation, asking for explicit images, and developing a rapport through compliments.

To stay safe online, kids need guidance on how to recognize the early signs of exploitation and how to respond. Encourage open communication with children, so they feel comfortable discussing any concerns or incidents they come across.

Here are some key tips to stay safe online:

By following these tips and being aware of online dangers, we can help keep our kids safe online.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sextortion, there are resources available to help. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) offers a Take It Down Tool that can help remove compromising photos from the internet.

You can access the Take It Down Tool at takeitdown.ncmec.org. This is a crucial step in regaining control over your online presence and protecting your well-being.