Sextortion refers to making threats to share nude or sexual images to coerce the victim into complying with certain demands, such as paying a ransom, sharing intimate images, or engaging in unwanted acts. Sextortion occurs in a diverse range of contexts, including intimate partner abuse, cyberbullying, sexuality or sex worker “outing,” online dating, “cybersex,” sex trafficking, online sexual exploitation of children, computer hacking, and organized crime. Despite the heightened media focus, few studies have measured the prevalence, nature, and impacts of sextortion. We conducted a scoping review with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of existing empirical research on sextortion victimization and perpetration among youth and adults. (2024)
Sending Nudes has Become the Norm
Sending nudes has become the norm among youth today. Afterall, the way youth communicate and have relationships has become inextricably linked to technology. Youth need to be made aware of what could happen when they share explicit images of themselves, also known as self-generated child sexual abuse materials (SG-CSAM) (2020).
How To Talk To Your Kids About The Danger Of Sexting
Sexting among teens may not be the epidemic parents have been warned about, but despite education efforts and cautionary tales, it’s still, unfortunately, pretty common. While experts differ on statistics, a research report in the June 2019 edition of JAMA Pediatrics found that at least one in four teens receive sexually explicit texts and emails. At least one in seven teens send “sexts.” (2019)
“What Should I Do?” : Young Women’s Reported Dilemmas with Nude Photographs
Northwestern University Research – Sexting, or sending nude or semi-nude sexually suggestive images or messages to others, is a reality for an estimated 15 to 25 percent of teens growing up in the digital age. Though some research points to sexting as a potentially low-risk way to explore sexuality, it also is associated with increased risk of ostracism, depression and suicide. (2018)
Study Uncovers ‘Sextortion’ Prevalence in Teens
According to the United States Department of Justice, “sextortion” is labeled as the most important and fastest-growing cyberthreat to children, with more minor victims per offender than all other child sexual exploitation offenses. Sextortion in children catapulted into the spotlight in 2012 with the suicide of 15-year-old Amanda Todd from British Columbia. (2018)