Sextortion and Online Enticement:
A Guide for Parents and Teens
In today’s digital world, children and teens are growing up connected—communicating, learning, and building friendships online. But with that access comes risk. One of the most concerning and fast-growing threats facing young people is sextortion—a form of online exploitation where someone threatens to share explicit images or information unless certain demands are met, often for more images, money, or other favors.
What is Sextortion and Enticement?
Sextortion typically starts when a child or teen is tricked or pressured into sending an explicit image or video. The perpetrator then uses that content as blackmail, threatening to share it with the child’s family, friends, or on public platforms unless their demands are met. These demands may include sending more material, performing live sexual acts, or even paying money.
Enticement, on the other hand, is the grooming process used to gain a child’s trust. It can involve flattery, attention, deception, or manipulation—anything to build a connection that leads to the exchange of personal or explicit content.
These crimes can be perpetrated by strangers, often hiding behind fake profiles, or even by peers—classmates, former partners, or others who misuse trust and access.
Unfortunately, many victims feel ashamed, scared, or alone, and may not report the incident right away. That delay can lead to prolonged victimization.
The Role of Parents: Awareness and Engagement
While the internet is part of daily life, parents remain the first and most important line of defense in keeping their children safe. Knowing what your child is doing online isn’t about invading their privacy—it’s about fulfilling your responsibility to protect them.
Here are some tips for parents:
- Know what apps your child uses: From messaging platforms to games, predators often exploit lesser-known or unmonitored apps.
- Talk early and often: Normalize conversations about online safety, privacy, and digital choices.
- Set expectations: Make it clear that explicit content should never be shared or requested—and that your child can always come to you without fear of judgment.
- Encourage critical thinking: Help teens recognize red flags like secrecy, flattery, or requests to move conversations to private apps or video calls.
- Use parental tools wisely: Devices and apps often offer parental controls, but these should be used in tandem with trust and open communication.
It’s also important for parents to understand that even the smartest and most well-behaved kids can be victimized. These crimes can happen fast—sometimes within minutes—and the psychological manipulation involved is often subtle but powerful.
The Truth: Preventable but Resource-Intensive
Law enforcement takes every report of sextortion and online enticement seriously. Each one requires a thorough investigation to ensure the safety and well-being of the child involved, identify suspects, and determine the extent of the offense.
However, many of these incidents involve peers or scammers targeting children who were unsupervised online or unaware of the risks. While the children are absolutely victims, many of these cases are preventable. When parents stay informed, engaged, and involved, it can reduce the chances of their child being targeted.
With limited resources, every investigation demands time and attention—time that could otherwise be used to pursue high-risk offenders, such as those who are actively producing and distributing child sexual abuse material, trafficking victims, or traveling with the intent to exploit a child in person. While every case is important, preventable incidents involving online sextortion by scammers or peers can divert focus from tracking down these most dangerous perpetrators. By working together—parents, children, schools, and law enforcement—we can reduce these preventable crimes and help ensure that investigative resources remain directed toward those who pose the most significant threat to child safety.
How to Talk to Your Child About Sextortion
Talking to your child about sextortion might feel awkward, but it’s far more awkward to have that conversation after something has gone wrong. Here are some conversation starters and approaches you can use:
- “Have you ever gotten a weird message from a stranger online?”
- “What would you do if someone threatened to share something embarrassing about you?”
- “I want you to know you can tell me anything, no matter what. You won’t be in trouble.”
Stay calm and supportive. If your child opens up about something concerning, focus first on their safety and mental wellbeing, not punishment.
If Inappropriate Material Has Already Been Shared
If your child has shared an image or video, you are not alone. It’s important to act quickly but carefully.
Resources that can help:
- NCMEC’s Take It Down
This free service, operated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, helps minors (or their parents) remove explicit content that has been shared online. It works by creating a unique hash of the image and sending it to participating platforms so they can block or remove the content. - CyberTipline (NCMEC)
Report suspected sextortion, enticement, or exploitation. Law enforcement partners across the U.S. use these tips to investigate crimes and assist victims. - Thorn’s Stop Sextortion Guide
Practical tips for parents and teens, including real stories and how to respond when sextortion happens. - The FBI’s Sextortion Awareness Resources
Guidance on identifying, reporting, and preventing sextortion crimes. - Local Law Enforcement
Always report the incident to your local police or sheriff’s office. Officers can help guide you through the process and connect you to resources.
Final Thoughts
Sextortion is a serious and deeply personal crime. But by staying informed, having proactive conversations, and using available tools, families can reduce risk and respond with confidence if something does go wrong.
Remember, your child is not alone—and neither are you. Prevention begins at home, with awareness, trust, and open communication.