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Published: November 14, 2024

We are seeing a significant rise in so-called ‘sextortion’ crimes against children and young people by criminals utilising AI technology to transpose innocent images into sexually explicit photographs and videos. These are then used to blackmail the innocent victim.

Don’t be fooled, this can happen to any child or young person, including those in your care.

What Is ‘Sextortion’?

So-called ‘sextortion’ is a form of online exploitation where perpetrators use intimate images or videos of a young person to blackmail them. They may demand additional images, money, or even coerce victims into recruiting others. While sextortion can happen to anyone, teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable.

Those carrying out these crimes will also seek out images of the victims with identifiable features such as their face, birth marks, tattoos or jewellery. They do this to heighten vulnerability, anxiety, engendering a feeling of powerlessness and self-blame.

This form of exploitation can present itself in various ways, but always has the same goal: to blackmail and instil fear within the victim for personal gain.

Common ‘Sextortion’ Tactics

The Use of AI Technology

There has been a worrying increase in the use of AI-generated indecent images of young people within ‘sextortion’ cases. Offenders obtain innocent images of a young person, often from their social media profiles, and superimpose it onto an explicit image or video, making it appear that they are engaging in a sexual act on camera.

Even if a young person has never shared a sexual image of themselves, they can still be a victim of ‘sextortion’ through the use of this technology and the threat and impact can be just as real. Remember, this technology is extremely advanced and can trick most people into thinking it is a real image or video.

Note: An AI-generated indecent image of anyone under 18 is still classed as a child abuse image, even if it isn’t real. You should never screenshot or share a sexualised photo or video of a child. Instead, protect yourself by reporting it immediately to the police and the Internet Watch Foundation.

Blackmail Facilitated Via Sexual Exploitation

So-called ‘sextortion’ often begins with a perpetrator initiating a seemingly innocent friendship or relationship with a young person online. They may connect through social media, dating apps, or gaming platforms. Over time, the perpetrator steers conversations toward sexual topics and manipulates the young person into sharing explicit photos or videos of themselves. Unlike ‘catfishing’, the perpetrator (or someone acting on their behalf) will engage in direct contact with their victim, including video or voice calls.

This is often encouraged by the perpetrator initiating the exchange by exposing themselves whilst engaging in sexual activity, or appearing to do so. This creates a false sense of security, in that the victim feels safe because the perpetrator has shared sexually explicit material of themselves first.

Catfishing

So-called ‘catfishing’ is when a person takes information and images from other people or generates photos using AI to create an online identity, tailored to mirror the interests of the victim.

Their aim is to deceive their target into believing they are in a real friendship. They do this to build trust and grow the relationship to the point when they can successfully encourage their victim to share sexually explicit images or videos. Once they have this digital collateral, they will use it to control and coerce the victim.

To find out more about catfishing and how to spot it, read our article.

What Is The Impact On Young People?

Feeling trapped in a ‘sextortion’ scam can feel overwhelming, inducing fear, panic and a range of other complex emotions including humiliation, stigma and shame. The perpetrator plays on such fears to discourage their victims from coming forward to seek help.

Sadly, in some cases, the psychological impact can lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. This is why early intervention, education and frequent open conversations are crucial in protecting children and young people in these situations.

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What Can You Do?

Educate Yourself

Learn about what tactics are being used and how to respond appropriately if a child in your care discloses an incident to you.

Open Communication

Maintain open lines of communication with young people in your care and ensure they understand who they can reach out to as their trusted adult. Create a non-judgemental space where they can share any concerns or incidents regarding sharing images and ‘sextortion’. 

Online Image Sharing Education

Teach young people about online safety and the potential risks they may encounter. Discuss the importance of privacy settings, alongside the risks of taking and sharing sensitive images, videos and disclosing personal information.

Whether it be with friends, people they think they know or strangers, ensure they are aware of the concerns and risks surrounding the practice as well as what support they can access if they become a victim of sextortion.

Review Privacy Settings

Update the privacy settings on all social media accounts so that only people your young person knows can view their account. Be mindful of who they invite or accept as a friend or follower and do not accept requests from complete strangers.

If you or your young person come across any suspicious activities or individuals online, report them to the relevant authorities or the platform’s support team. By reporting such incidents, you contribute to the overall safety of the online community.

What to Do If a Young Person Is Targeted

If a young person in your care is a victim of sextortion, it is crucial to:

Reassure them that they are not alone and are not at fault. at fault.
Remain calm and avoid responding in a way that might make them more fearful.
Ignore the perpetrator’s demands and do not pay.
End all communication with the perpetrator and block them on all platforms.
Take screenshots of any written evidence of the blackmail. Remember: You should never screenshot or share a sexualised photo or video of a child. Instead, protect yourself by reporting it immediately to the police and the Internet Watch Foundation.
Contact the police immediately.
Report the individual to the relevant online platforms.
Support the young person, as the psychological impact can be significant. Consider a suicide prevention plan even if the young person seems resilient.

To access more practical resources for responding and reporting, read our “Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion” article.

Advice for Young People

If you are a victim of ‘sextortion’, it is critically important that you remember that you are a victim, you are not at fault and you are definitely not alone. Speak to an adult you trust, such as your parent or carer, a teacher or the police.

Remember: The sooner you come forward, the sooner you can get help.

Consider the following steps

Do Not Give In To Their Demands

Whether they are asking for money, more images or are asking you to include others, do not give them what they want. If you send them money or additional images, they will simply come back for more.

Protect Yourself

Post on your social media to say that your account has been ‘hacked’, and someone has made images of you using AI. For example:

“My account has been hacked. Someone has taken photos from my profile and is threatening to share AI-generated images of me – these are fake. I don’t want this to happen to you – block this account now.”

Close Your Social Media Accounts

Consider deactivating any associated social media profiles. This prevents the perpetrator from further engaging with you or accessing your friends/followers.

Speak To an Adult You Trust

Keeping this a secret will not help. Speak to someone you trust and explain what has happened. This could be a parent, carer, teacher or the police. They will want to support you. In these online cases, speed is of the essence. The sooner you come forward, the sooner you can be appropriately supported and the perpetrator stopped.

Finally, we have all done things in life we regret. You might feel embarrassed or blame yourself – it is not your fault. These feelings will pass and with the right help and support, you will get through this.

Further Resources

Safer Schools Teach Hub

Our Teach Hub has a wealth of resources tailored to opening meaningful and honest dialogues with young people.

It is hugely beneficial to begin creating an open discussion with the young person about who their Trusted Adults are at the earliest point as it will allow the child to raise concerns quickly.

SAFER SCHOOLS TEACH HUB