Protecting our children from the dangers of Financial Sextortion

The online world is a double-edged sword. While it connects us in incredible ways, it also exposes our children to unseen dangers—one of the most alarming being financial sextortion.

There has been an increasing number of reports made to CyberSafeTT over the past few months which have revealed that predators are targeting young people, mostly boys, coercing them into sending inappropriate images and in some instances, demanding money in exchange for silence. Tragically, some victims, often not mature enough to handle such a situation and overwhelmed by fear and shame, feel that the only way out is to take their own life.

As parents and guardians, we must protect our children from these modern-day wolves in sheep’s clothing. Ignoring the issue is not an option. We must be vigilant, aware, and proactive in guiding our children through the digital landscape.

What is Financial Sextortion?

Financial sextortion occurs when an online predator tricks or coerces a child or teenager into sending explicit photos or videos. The predator then threatens to release the images unless money is paid.

There are cases where the victim is digitally kidnapped. Digital kidnapping refers to the entrapment of an individual by a cybercriminal to continuously share explicit images or videos of themselves against their will. It is the modern form of Human Trafficking where, an individual can be trafficked right in their own bedroom. Instead of asking for money, the victims are forced to continue sending explicit images or videos which are then sold by the online predators to adult websites or shared in WhatsApp or Telegram groups.

Criminals often disguise themselves as the child’s age, gaining trust before making their demands. In some cases, the child feels trapped—afraid of exposure, ashamed to tell their parents, and desperate to stop the threats.

To illustrate how a predator might approach a child online, consider the following hypothetical scenario:

Platform: Instagram

Initial Contact:

• Predator: Sends a follow request to a teenager and begins liking their posts.

Building Rapport:

• Predator: Starts commenting on posts with compliments: “Great photo! You have a talent for photography.”
• Teen: Replies with a “thank you”.
• Predator: Continues the conversation through direct messages, sharing common interests and offering support or advice.

Gradual Escalation:

• Predator: After establishing trust, suggests moving the conversation to a more private platform like Snapchat or WhatsApp.
• Predator: Begins introducing personal topics, asking about relationships, and subtly steering the conversation towards sexual subjects.

Exploitation:

• Predator: Coerces the teen into sharing personal photos, which are then used to blackmail them for money or further explicit content.

The timeline for online interactions to turn dangerous can vary. Some predators may attempt to escalate conversations to inappropriate topics within minutes, while others may invest weeks or even months building trust before making explicit requests.

Signs that a child may be a victim

Children often suffer in silence, but there are warning signs that parents should watch for:

• Sudden mood changes–Anxiety, depression, or unusual withdrawal from family.
• Secrecy with devices–Constantly deleting messages, refusing to use devices in front of parents or hiding screen when an adult walks by.
• Requests for money–Asking for cash without explanation or attempting to sell belongings.
• Avoiding conversations–Especially when asked about their online activities.
• Sleep disturbances–Nightmares, insomnia, or restlessness at night.
• Poor academic performance–Usually due to a compilation of the above influences.

If you notice these signs, do not ignore them. Approach your child with love, not anger or judgement.

How should parents respond?

If your child is a victim, your first reaction is critical. Many children hesitate to speak up because they fear punishment.

• Stay calm–Reacting with anger or blame will push them further into isolation. Instead, reassure them that they are not at fault.
• Offer unconditional support–Your child needs to know that they can trust you and that you will work through this together.
• Report the incident–Contact Cyber Crime Unit or the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Do not attempt to negotiate with the predator.
• Seek emotional support–Consider counselling for your child to help them cope with the emotional trauma.

 Strategies to prevent financial sextortion

The best way to protect children is education and open communication:

• Strengthen their self-worth–Many victims are lured by compliments and false affection from predators. Teach children that their worth is God-given and does not depend on validation from strangers online.
• Teach them online safety–Make sure they understand that not everyone online is who they claim to be. Discuss the dangers of sharing personal photos and engaging in private chats with strangers. Teach them the importance of their Digital Footprint.
• Encourage open conversations–Your child should feel comfortable discussing any concerns with you. Remind them that no mistake is too big to share with their parents.
• Monitor devices without spying–Use parental controls but also build trust. Set rules about online interactions and regularly check in about their online activities.
• Know the apps–Apps with messaging capabilities are potential avenues for a cybercriminal to connect with a victim. These extend beyond those such as WhatsApp and Messenger to include those used during online gaming sessions such as Discord and Twitch. Parents should be concerned if kids have apps which allow for anonymous communication such as Kik or apps that allow for disappearing messages such as Snapchat, Telegram and Confide.
• Be a role model–Children follow our lead. Demonstrate responsible technology use and show them how to navigate the internet with wisdom and integrity.

A call to action for parents & the community

As people of faith, we are reminded in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Protecting our children is not just a parental duty—it is a moral and spiritual responsibility. Just as we warn them of dangers in the physical world, we must also equip them for the dangers of the virtual world.

Start today. Have that conversation, educate yourself on cyber threats, and be the strong, guiding presence your child needs. Together, as a community, we can ensure our children are safe, empowered, and free from the grips of online predators.

Visit www.cybersafett.com for more tips and advice.