At least 38 American teenagers have died by suicide since 2021 after being targeted by sextortion schemes. This page could save your child's life.
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail in which a predator — often posing as an attractive peer on social media — convinces a child or teenager to send an explicit image. The moment that image is received, the predator reveals their true intent: pay money or the image gets sent to everyone you know.
The primary targets are boys ages 14–17, though girls are also victimized. The predators are frequently organized criminal networks operating from West Africa (Nigeria, Ivory Coast) and Southeast Asia (Philippines). They run these schemes as a business, targeting hundreds of victims simultaneously.
The psychological impact is catastrophic. Children feel profound shame and believe there is no way out. At least 38 American boys have died by suicide since 2021 because they saw no other escape. The most important message a parent can give their child is: there is always a way out, and it starts with telling me.
Predator creates fake profile as attractive teen on Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok
Sends friend/follow request. Begins flattering, romantic conversation
Escalates to sexual conversation. Sends fake explicit image first to lower inhibitions
Requests explicit image from victim. Victim complies, believing it is private
Predator reveals true identity. Demands $200–$2,000 or threatens to send image to family and friends
If paid, demands escalate. Predator now knows victim will pay
If your child expresses hopelessness or says they don't want to be here: This is a medical emergency. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) immediately. Do not leave them alone. Sextortion-related suicides often happen within hours of the extortion demand — act immediately.
Follow these steps in order. Time matters — the faster you act, the better the outcome.
Reporting to the platform does not replace reporting to NCMEC and the FBI — do all three.
The most effective prevention is an open conversation before anything happens. Children who know their parents will not react with anger or punishment are far more likely to report sextortion immediately — before it escalates.
Research from NCMEC shows that victims who told a trusted adult within the first 24 hours had significantly better outcomes than those who stayed silent for days or weeks.
"I need to tell you about something called sextortion. Someone might pretend to be a friend online, ask for a private photo, and then threaten to share it unless you pay them. If that ever happens to you — or to anyone you know — I need you to come to me immediately. You will not be in trouble. I will not be angry at you. We will handle it together. The worst thing you can do is pay them or stay silent. Coming to me is always the right answer."
Introduce the concept of online strangers, explain that people online are not always who they say they are, and establish the rule: never share private photos with anyone online, ever.
Have a direct conversation about sextortion by name. Explain how it works, who does it, and what to do. Emphasize that it is never the victim's fault and that coming forward immediately is the only path forward.
Treat them as near-adults. Share the statistics. Tell them about the boys who died. Make it real. Establish that your home is a no-judgment zone for this specific topic — they can always come to you.
This section is written directly to you — not your parents. If someone online is threatening to share your photos or videos unless you pay them or send more, you are being targeted by a criminal. Here is exactly what you need to know.
The person threatening you is almost never who they said they were. That 'girl' or 'guy' you were talking to is likely a criminal network operating from overseas.
You were not specially targeted. These criminals send the same messages to hundreds of teenagers every day. You are not alone.
Their only goal is money or more images. They do not know your friends and family personally — they are bluffing to scare you.
If you pay, they will ask for more. 79% of teens who pay are asked for more money immediately. Payment does not make it stop.
Stop all contact
Do not reply, do not pay, do not send anything. Block them on every platform.
Screenshot everything
Take screenshots of all messages, their profile, and any accounts before you block them. This is evidence.
Tell a trusted adult
Tell a parent, school counselor, or another adult you trust. You will not be in trouble. You are the victim.
Report to NCMEC
Call 1-800-843-5678 or text. They are trained for exactly this situation and will not judge you.
"You are not the first person this has happened to. You will not be the last. But you can be one of the ones who survived it by speaking up."
— Written by a federal law enforcement officer who has investigated these crimes and arrested these predators
A wallet-sized card with the 3 steps, the NCMEC number, and the warning signs. Print it, laminate it, and give it to your teenager. Designed to be kept in a backpack or wallet.
A plain-language guide written by a federal law enforcement officer. Includes the exact script to say to your child, age-by-age conversation guides, 8 warning signs, and the 8-step response protocol.
Free download — no credit card required.
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