RISK OF SEXTORTION The term ‘sexting’ describes the use of a digital device to send sexually explicit media and messages. The term originated to explain sending intimate materials or messages through text message, but now includes exchanging this over popular applications and social media platforms; for example, WhatsApp and Instagram through Direct Messages (DMs). Sexting became widely popularized through Snapchat as well due to the platform’s ability to send photographs, videos, and messages that can only be seen once for a few seconds before “disappearing” from the user’s feed. 11 Sexting has its dangers, and it is important to acknowledge how it permanently impacts the lives of our youth. One of the most dangerous scenarios that we see occur repeatedly, especially in teenagers, is sextortion. Sextortion is where non-physical forms of coercion are used to extort non-consensual sexual favors from the victim (i.e., sharing intimate details, sexual images, or videos of the victim online if they don’t meet their demands such as money, sexual favors, more intimate photos, etc.). Sextortion can happen to anyone who chooses to sext, where it is not always perpetrated by a stranger who is unrelated to the victim but can be someone close to them. It is crucial to understand when someone chooses to engage in sexting, they are subjecting themselves to the possibility of sextortion. Sextortion can occur regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation; however, research shows those who identify as female, teenagers, and children are most likely to be targeted. 12 However, we are starting to see an increased trend among males of all age ranges being targeted by sextortion scams. Over the course of September 2023 to September 2024, data from Cybertip outlines how amongst the 2500+ reports of sextortion they saw, when they were able to identify the gender of the individual who was sextorted, 90% of the cases were those who identify as male. 13 Those who identify as female are typically extorted for more intimate images and videos, and those who identify as male are typically extorted for money, often in the form of gift-cards or cryptocurrency (but there are many additional ways). 1313 In addition, Cybertip highlights that when they were aware of what platform was utilized for sextortion, 74% of incidents occurred on Snapchat or Instagram. 13 When responding to cases of sextortion, SS/TA Teams must pay careful attention to: • Recognizing that sextortion is a traumatic experience that can be stored at the cellular level. • Understanding how traumatic events can affect an individual, group of individuals, or an organization/system. • Responding compassionately and thoughtfully. To ensure a trauma-informed response when handling sextortion cases, trained multi-disciplinary SS/TA Teams must respond to a report of possible sextortion while simultaneously conducting a behavioral and digital threat assessment. The threat assessment process helps determine the immediate safety and emotional needs of the victim as well as the concerns regarding the Subject of Concern (SOC).
11 Sexting: Adolescents perceptions of the applications 12 Protect Children 13 CyberTip.ca
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