It starts with a notification. A new follower on Instagram, a ‘friend of a friend’ on Snapchat, or even an AI-generated profile that looks indistinguishable from a local teenager. Conversations turn flirtatious, then within hours or days, a child feels trapped, terrified and coerced into silence.

Sextortion is a rapidly evolving threat that can happen to anyone and has been a frightening reality for many young people. Recent data shows reported cases have been on the rise with a 72% increase in the first half of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024 (IWF). Predators can now weaponise advanced technologies to further extort and control victims; large scale research estimates 1.2 million children had sexual deepfakes created of them in the last year alone (UNICEF, ECPAT and INTERPOL).

These predators are not looking for a relationship; they are hunting for control. The process is calculated and cruel, they coerce a young person into sending an intimate image, then immediately pivot to blackmail. By using the threat of public exposure or sharing the content with the victim’s friend list, they extort money, further images, or total compliance.

For professionals and educators, you may be the trusted adult a child turns to when they feel they have nowhere else to go. Fear of embarrassment, getting into trouble, or having their phone confiscated can prevent a young person from telling their parents, leaving you as the critical link in their support system. Being the calm, supportive presence a child needs can be what stands between them and the worst outcomes of an online encounter.