U.S. Department
of Justice
What is Sextortion?
What is Sextortion? Sextortion is a type of blackmail used by offenders to acquire additional sexual content from a child, coerce them into engaging in sexual activity or obtain money from the child. Children can sometimes become victims of sextortion after sexting with someone they thought they knew and trusted, but analyses have found that children who are victims of sextortion are often targeted and blackmailed by an individual they met online. That person may use deceit, coercion, or another method to obtain a nude or sexual image of the child before blackmailing them for more.
What do I do if my child is being sextorted?
Step 1. Preserve the evidence: Take screenshots, write down names, usernames, and phone numbers used.
Step 2. Report to local law enforcement: Contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov or cybertipline.org
Step 3. Report the perpetrator on social media: Many young people are being extorted on Instagram and Snapchat, among other websites. Social media applications have safety features you can use to report misconduct that goes against their policies and procedures.
Step 4: Do not comply with the predator's demands: Complying with or paying the perpetrator rarely stops the harassment or blackmail and may fuel them to continue.
Take a moment to learn how sextortion works and how to talk to your children about it. Information, resources, and conversation guides are available at
- Thorn
- Common Sense Media- Review apps, games, books, tv shows, and movies for safety recommendations and tips.
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- Victim and Family Support- Find mental health resources, support, peer connection, and reunification assistance.
- U.S. Attorney's Office, SDIN, Indiana State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indianapolis Sextortion PSA
What can Sextortion look like?
