Sextortion: What It Is and What to Do (FBI)

What it is

The FBI describes three patterns: someone posing as a peer who wants a relationship, someone offering money or game credits or gift cards in exchange for an image, and someone who simply claims to already have compromising material. Once they have something, the threat begins — publish this, or hurt you, unless you send more. The Bureau is clear that this reaches children of every age, gender and background, and that the only thing victims have in common is internet access. The single most important sentence on the page is addressed to the young person: you are not the one who is breaking the law. Shame is what keeps a teenager silent while the situation escalates, and an official source saying plainly that he is the victim can break that silence faster than a parent can. Reporting routes are given: tips.fbi.gov, 1-800-CALL-FBI, a local field office, local police, or a trusted adult.

What it may help with

• I'm in crisis and need help now
• My teen is struggling
• I want to protect my kids

How to access it

Web page with reporting routes None — open page; report at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI

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