What is sextortion, and what to do if it happens to your kid

• Step 1 — contact. Usually a hacked or fake account of a same-age peer. “Hey” → flirty banter → “u single?”
• Step 2 — image exchange. The predator sends a (stolen) nude image first. They ask for one back. This trade is sometimes called “catfishing for content.”
• Step 3 — the flip. Within minutes of receiving the image, the tone changes. The predator reveals they have the image, the kid's school, the kid's friends list. They demand: more images, or a gift card / crypto / cash payment. Often $300-$500.
• Step 4 — escalation. Whether the kid pays or not, threats continue. Some predators send the image to a friend or family member to prove they can.

Adolescent brains are wired for fast intimacy and slow consequence recognition. By the time the image is sent, the cascade of shame is so intense most kids would rather pay than tell a parent. Many comply silently. Some don't survive.

• First: nothing your kid did is unforgivable. Lead with that, before anything else. The shame they're feeling is the leverage. Take it off the table.
• Don't pay. Don't comply. Paying typically increases demands. Stop responding entirely.
• Don't delete anything yet. Screenshots, usernames, account details — preserve as evidence.
• Report immediately. FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. NCMEC's CyberTipline: 1-800-843-5678. Both have dedicated sextortion response teams.
• Use NCMEC's Take It Down service. takeitdown.ncmec.org — free, anonymous service that helps remove explicit images of minors from major platforms.
• Get mental-health support same-day. RAINN (1-800-656-HOPE) or a local therapist who specializes in adolescent trauma. This is urgent.

Talk to your kid about sextortion the same way you'd talk about strangers in person. Make these points:

• “Someone might pretend to be your age, share a photo first, then ask you to share back. If this happens, that person is doing something illegal — not you.”
• “If someone says they have a photo of you and demands money or more photos, do not pay. Do not respond. Come to me. Anytime, any night. No questions about how it started.”
• “If you're ever scared and can't tell me, you can call this number directly: 1-800-843-5678. They'll help you and won't tell me unless you want them to.”

Sextortion typically starts with a few telltale messages. We watch for the script.

• Brand-new account + romantic opener. We flag “u single,” “send me a pic of you,” “trade nudes” — and the patterns around them.
• Image-share monitoring. When an unknown account sends your kid an explicit image, we know.
• Payment / gift-card threat language. “Send Bitcoin,” “buy a steam card,” “Cash App me $500” — flagged the second they appear.
• Immediate parent + kid app alert. The kid sees the alert too. They're told: this is a crime against them, here's who to call, and you've already told your parent.