‘Social media killed my boy’: Just 30 minutes to claim a bright young life

He was the life of the party, a budding footy star who was loving and loyal, but it took just 30 cold and calculated minutes for the teenager’s life to be destroyed forever.

It took just 30 minutes for a 45-year-old man, posing as a 15-year-old girl, to groom Mac Holdsworth over Instagram and convince him to send an intimate photo of himself.

Just 30 minutes to destroy the life of this happy, loyal teenager, the school captain, and his family.

On October 24 last year, 15 months after Mac sent that photo, he decided to take his own life, unable to live with the consequences.

Wayne Holdsworth never thought something like this would happen to his son who his mates called “the life of the party”.

He said despite assurances from himself and police that he was the victim, Mac was never the same.

Wayne Holdsworth’s son suicided six months ago after falling victim to a sextortion plot online. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

Adding to his despair, Mac lost his mother to multiple sclerosis shortly after the sextortion.

Wayne said he withdrew from his family, footy and became paranoid.

Until the night that he decided to end it. That night he was as happy as Wayne had seen him in months.

“I thought everything was fine, he was back in form,’’ Wayne said.

“The last thing he said to me was: ‘Dad can I drive the car to work tomorrow’? His brother had given him this old, beat-up car and he loved it. He used to turn the radio up loud and sing with the window down. He was so happy that night but I know now that’s a sign. Because he knew. He had planned it. He knew what he was going to do.’’

In July 2022 Mac, who played Aussie rules, was contacted over Snapchat and then Instagram by who Wayne now knows was a serial scammer. The predator used a near-naked picture of his 15-year-old niece to lure Mac in.

“Hi Sweetie, that’s how it started,’’ said Wayne.

“Mac wrote back saying ‘hi’ and she asked Mac what do you do. Mac told her he was working and playing footy and he might have embellished a few things. And she said: ‘So you’re sporty, you obviously have a strong body. Can you show me and I’ll show you mine’.’’

As soon as the image was sent Mac received a phone call demanding $500 or the photo would be sent to all of his family and friends.

Wayne Holdsworth and his son Mac.

“They said to him, and these words are just about printed on my brain – you will be an embarrassment to your family. Your mum and dad will hate you and you will want to kill yourself,’’ Wayne recalled.’

Mac paid the money but then there was a second call for another $500.

It was at this point that Mac told his dad what he had done.

They went to police that night. Just three days later the online predator was charged. He had accidentally given Mac his real account details.

In that time, he also published the intimate photo.

Mac was due to give a victim impact statement at the hearing but he ended his life before the case got to court. He left a note saying he was sorry, he was a burden: “I just can’t cope in this world any more.”

When Mac didn’t get up out of bed at 6.30am, like he normally did, Wayne didn’t think anything of it.

“I just thought he was having a bit of a 10 minute sleep in because he knew he was getting to drive the car to work in the morning which is quicker than riding his bike,’’ said Wayne.

“I was in the kitchen and my wife had just gone to work and my daughter was getting ready to go to school and I thought ‘hang on, this is a bit odd’.

So I got up and knocked on his door. There was no answer. So I opened his door and he wasn’t in his bed and I looked to the right and there he was. I knew he was dead. He was lifeless.’’

Wayne Holdsworth found his lifeless son. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

The scammer, who police suspect was part of a Russian or Nigerian cartel operating out of NSW, was sentenced to six months jail but after time served was out in three.

Wayne has no doubt he is preying on other young teenagers just like he did Mac.

Wayne also has no doubt about the role social media played.

“These companies are responsible for this. To allow this to occur to a 17-year-old boy,’’ Wayne said.

“He was never the same after it happened. It changed him. He couldn’t get over it and he was worried it would happen again.

“Then he was able to access stuff around suicide.’’

This Sunday, Wayne should be watching Mac playing footy for the Seaford Footy Club near Frankston in Victoria. He wore the number 16 jersey, which has been retired since Mac’s passing.

“If my Mac didn’t have access to social media, and I don’t say this lightly, he would still be with us and I would be able to wrap my arms around my boy.

“I would be able to watch him play footy on Sunday. But I can’t.”

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or needing help should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14