FBI warns sextortion cases targeting teenagers on the rise

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The number of teenagers targeted by sextortion is increasing according to the FBI.

The FBI is using Safer Internet Day, which is February 10, to raise awareness about the issue.

WHAT IS SEXTORTION?

While sectortion can happen to anyone at any time, the FBI noticed an increase in the number of sextortion cases involving people under the age of 18.

The FBI says sextortion is when an adult convinces a teenager to share sexual pictures or perform sexual acts on camera for them.

Often, sextortion schemes start when young people believe they are communicating with someone their own age who is interested in a relationship or with someone who is offering something of value. After the criminals have one or more videos or pictures, they threaten to publish that content, or they threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images.

“These types of crimes are some of the most abhorrent we work at the FBI and we’ve committed a large number of resources to combat this effort. But we can’t do it alone – all can help stem the tide of child exploitation by raising awareness in our communities of the dangers that children face online. On this safer internet day, we can all commit to making the internet safer for the kids in our lives,” FBI Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Josh Delmanzo said.

WHAT TO KNOW

Sextortion can happen on any site, app, messaging platform, or game where people meet and communicate.

The shame, fear, and confusion children feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse, according to the FBI.

Everyone should know how the crime occurs and openly discuss online safety.

The FBI says sextortion can be confusing for child victims. The cycle of victimization continues because children are afraid of getting in trouble.

It’s important for the children and teenagers to know are not the ones in trouble if something like this happens. If young people are being exploited, they should know how to report it. Victims can contact FBI Kansas City by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or reporting online at tips.fbi.gov.

HOW TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT SEXTORTION

The FBI realizes it can be a tough topic to discuss with children. The bureau provided the following conversation starters to help:

• When you’re online, has anyone you don’t know ever tried to contact or talk to you?
• What did you do or what would you do if that happened?
• Why do you think someone would want to reach a kid online?
• You know, it’s easy to pretend to be someone you’re not online and not every person is a good person. Make sure you block or ignore anything that comes in from someone you don’t know in real life.
• Has anyone you know ever sent a picture of themselves that got passed around school or a team or club?
• What’s possible anytime you send someone a picture? ▪ What if that picture were embarrassing?
• Can you think about how someone could use that kind of picture against a person?
• I read an article today about kids being pressured to send images and video of their bodies to a person they met online.
  • Have you ever heard about anything like that?
• You know, if you are ever feeling like something is going on—online or off—that feels scary or wrong or over your head, my first concern is going to be helping you. You can always come to me.

The FBI also has staff dedicated to assisting victims of crime. The Child Victim Services Program at the FBI provides support to child victims and witnesses of federal crimes through investigative forensic interviews.

TEACH KIDS ONLINE SAFETY

Awareness and safety practices online, along with a willingness to ask for help, can help put an end to online exploitation, according to the FBI.

Children should do the following:

• Be selective about what they share online.
  • If their social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about them.
• Be wary of anyone they encounter for the first time online.
  • Block or ignore messages from strangers.
  • Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be.
• Be suspicious if they meet someone on one game or app and this person asks them to start talking on a different platform.
• Be in the know.
  • Any content they create online—whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public.
  • Nothing actually “disappears” online.
• Be willing to ask for help.
  • If they are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult.