How to keep your kids safe from sextortion

An IT security expert details some of the ways you can help your teenager stay safe online amidst a shocking increase in sextortion crimes.

Parvinder Walia

4 min read

June 2, 2023 - 5:00AM

Sexting: are you a victim of 'sextortion'?

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Sextortion crimes have tripled this year, with more than 90 per cent of victims being young men and teenagers. Parvinder Walia, a cybersecurity expert, has penned this piece about keeping your kids safe online.

Sextortion, a distressing form of blackmail that involves threats to distribute explicit images or videos unless demands are met, is increasingly prevalent on various digital platforms. In Australia, reports of sextortion have skyrocketed from 3,000 in the first quarter of 2022 to a staggering 8,000 this year, painting a concerning picture of the widespread issue of harmful online content.

Such incidents will horrify most parents; and restricting internet usage or access to specific sites isn’t really the answer. Parents and caregivers need to understand the danger and encourage two-way communication, so kids feel that they can come to their responsible adults if they fall victim.

All young people are vulnerable, but there has been a significant surge in young men falling victim to blackmail by criminals posing as attractive women.

Law enforcement agencies suspect that the actual number of victims is much higher, as only a fraction of minors report sextortion incidents to the police due to shame, fear, and the isolation perpetuated by abusers.

The very nature of having nude images or videos circulated to friends and family can cause severe emotional and mental trauma for the victim, and can even lead a young person to end their life.

It is crucial for teenagers to know that they are not alone, and where education and communication are key.

Sextortion crimes saw a big leap in the past 12 months. Picture: iStock

Defining Sextortion

It is important to understand the difference between “revenge porn” and sextortion.

The key distinction lies in their intentions and dynamics. Revenge porn aims to harm or control individuals within relationships, whereas sextortion focuses on manipulation and extortion through explicit content.

Revenge porn occurs often within the context of relationships. Alternatively, sextortion entails blackmailing individuals; criminals frequently pose as potential romantic partners, deceiving victims into sharing explicit material, which they then use to extort money or compliance.

Parvinder Walia warns parents and teenagers should be vigilant to fight the crime of sextortion. Picture: iStock

Warning Signs

Ideally prevention is the best course of action. While social engineering, over information stealing, is the goal of the perpetrators, it pays to mitigate both risks.

Identifying sextortion can be challenging, as perpetrators employ manipulative tactics.

Teenagers need to be wary of and engage in some scepticism - not everyone is who they say they are.

Here are some steps teenagers can take to keep themselves as safe as possible:

Set social media accounts to private.
Don’t send any videos or pictures to someone they haven’t met in real life.
Never share intimate photos or videos of themselves or anyone else – they rescind control over what happens next.
Ignore messages from strangers and be wary of anyone wanting to move the conversation to another platform – that’s a big warning sign of a romance scam.
Speak to a responsible adult whenever they think they’ve been targeted by an online predator.

By familiarising themselves with tactics, teenagers can take proactive measures to

protect themselves and their peers.

One of the warnings signs of potential sextortion is requests to move a conversation to another app. Picture: iStock

Common Types of Sextortion

Sextortion scams often thrive on social media platforms that facilitate webcam interactions and photo sharing. Perpetrators gain victims’ trust before coercing them into sharing explicit content or engaging in compromising acts during video chats, usually under fake profiles. Subsequently, sextortionists demand a ransom, threatening to expose the material to the victim’s contacts and family members.

Additionally, hackers exploit data breaches to obtain email addresses and passwords, using email phishing campaigns to deceive recipients into believing their personal information has been compromised. Victims are given deadlines to make payments, to prevent the dissemination of sensitive information. However, it is crucial to recognize these threats as empty and refrain from paying the ransom.

APJ president for ESET and cybersecurity expert Parvinder Walia. Picture: Supplied

Combatting the Crime

If targeted by sextortion, it is vital not to pay the blackmailer or provide them with additional money or intimate content. They should speak to trusted friends, family members, teachers, and seek counselling and support services.

Reporting the offenders to the authorities is crucial to ensure accountability and access the necessary support and protection.

Here's what to do if you think you're a victim of sextortion:

To strengthen your case, save all communication from the blackmailer, including their demands and threats. Gather evidence such as screenshots, screen recordings, or photos of your screen. Record important details such as dates, times, and identifying information about the blackmailer.

Report the incident to the appropriate authorities or platforms and enhance your personal security by ceasing contact with the blackmailer, enhancing privacy settings, changing passwords, and protecting personally identifiable information.

To combat sextortion and safeguard against exploitation, it is vital for teenagers to remain vigilant, exercise caution when sharing personal information or engaging in intimate online activities, and be aware of the red flags associated with sextortion scams. There are also many free resources out there, such as ESET Safer Kids Online, that offer cybersecurity tips and articles on how to stay protected online.

By understanding the methods employed by sextortionists and taking proactive measures, including communication and education, we can all work together to combat sextortion and protect against exploitation, especially when it comes to safeguarding our teenagers.

Parvinder Walia is ESET’s APJ President, and manages ESET’s Australian and Asian Pacific/Japan sales, marketing and business operations. He has over 20 years experience in the technology and cybersecurity landscape, working right across the region, including establishing the brand’s channel marketing strategy in APJ and Australia. Parvinder is also an award winning business leader, who supports a culture of mentorship to develop and nurture talent for a future generation of cyber security evangelists.