What is Sextortion?
Sextortion involves someone coercing a victim into sharing sexual images or videos, then threatening to share them publicly unless the victim meets further demands, often more images, money, or continued contact.
What is Catfishing?
Catfishing is when someone pretends to besomeone else online, using fake pictures or identities to deceive others.Catfishes often target vulnerable individuals, establishing emotional trustbefore beginning manipulation or abuse.
Who is at Risk?
- More than two thirds(68%) of Childline counselling sessions about blackmail/threats to share sexualimages last year (where gender was known) were with boys, compared to 31% forgirls
- LGBTQ+ youth - Oftentargeted through dating/hookup apps
- Teens struggling withself-esteem - More likely to seek validation online
- Active gamers -Predators use gaming chats to initiate contact
- Neurodivergent teens
How Sextortion Happens
It often begins on social media, gaming platforms, or dating apps. The offender builds rapport and gains trust. Theymay pretend to be a romantic interest or peer. Once trust is built, they askfor personal or explicit content, then use that to threaten and control their victims.
- Initial Contact – a child is approached by a stranger or hacked friend's account with suspiciousbehavior.
- Rapid Escalation - theconversation quickly turns sexual, often with the offender sending explicitcontent first.
- Platform Switching-the predator pressures the child to move to private messaging apps.
- Manipulation - thechild is coerced into sending intimate photos/videos through flattery orthreats.
- False Claims - theoffender lies about hacking their device or stealing personal data.
- Blackmail- the childis threatened with image leaks unless they pay money or send more content.
Signs to Watch For
- Talking to StrangersWho Offer Compliments or Gifts
Sudden "friendships" with people they’ve never met in personBeing offered money,game currency, or gifts in exchange for attention
- Becoming Secretive About Online Activity
Hiding screens orquickly closing apps when you’re nearUsing new or secretsocial media accountsAvoiding questionslike "Who are you talking to?" or "What’s that app?"
- Receiving Requests forIntimate Pictures or Video Calls
Pressure to send nudes ("Just one photo—it’s private!")Demands for sexualvideo calls or live streamsExcuses like "It’s for a modeling contest" or "Everyone does this"
- Emotional Blackmail or Threats
Messages like: "If you don’t send more, I’ll leak what you already sent.""I’ll tell your parents unless you pay me."
- Sudden anxiety, withdrawal, or fear after being online
- Asking for money(e.g., gift cards) unexpectedly
What Can Parents or friends Do? - Tips For Talking
- You may be tempted topay the perpetrator, but there is no guarantee that this will stop the threats. The offender’s motive is to get money; once you have shown you can pay, they will likely ask for more, and the blackmail may continue. If you have paid,don’t panic but don’t pay anything more.
- The IWF can remove images that are public or available to anyone on the internet. However, theywon’t be able to remove images or videos on encrypted networks like WhatsApp,or which are saved on a person’s phone or computer.
- Cut contact – Blockthe perpetrator on all platforms immediately.
- Report it – ContactCEOP or police (101 or 999 in emergencies).
- Try not to deleteanything that could be used as evidence such as messages, images and bankaccount details.
- Deactivate your socialmedia account rather than delete it as it allows data to be retrieved
- If your images havebeen shared online, collect URLs and links if you can as you may need to sharethese with law enforcement or when using any of the reporting functions listedbelow. Do not share these links with anyone else.
