Sextortion is when a person online threatens to share explicit (naked or sexual) images or video unless you meet their demands. These demands often include sending money, taking more naked or sexual pictures or videos, or other illegal activities. These threats come from different types of people, for example, strangers you meet online, a person pretending to be someone else online, and past romantic or sexual partners.

Some red flags that a message might be sextortion are: the person says “I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours”, the person pretends to be from a modeling agency and requests pictures, the person uses photos that have been photoshopped to seem real, the person wants to quickly develop a romantic relationship, or they use multiple (fake) identities to contact you. If it sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because it is.

This is not your fault. You are not alone and you can handle this.

If somebody asks you to share something that makes you uncomfortable, you have the right to say no, even if you already shared something with them before. If they try to make you feel bad, just remember: they are the ones who are doing something wrong.

Pro-tip: If someone knows your password, change it immediately to maintain your privacy.

Reach out to a close friend, teacher, counselor or parent. Don’t know how to bring it up? You can start a conversation like this: "There's something going on in my life that I need help with. I'm not sure who to talk to. If I tell you, can you help me figure out what to do?"

“Reaching out is the best thing you can do. The people around you want what is the best for you. They may be angry at first, but at the end, they will not love you any less… They might even gain some respect for your courage.” - Female, 18, sextortion survivor

It is against our policies to share, threaten or force people to share intimate photos or videos. We take action on the people who do this whenever we become aware of it. In some instances, it's also against the law. To learn how to report content, including messages, visit our help centers for Facebook and Instagram. Contact local law enforcement if you are in danger and need immediate help. Learn more about Meta’s safety tools to help you stay safe.

Submit a case with any images or videos of yourself to Take It Down. This is a free service to help prevent the spread of intimate images and videos. You can remain anonymous, and you won’t have to send your images or videos to anyone.

Block the blackmailer, but do not delete your profile or messages. This probably feels like the opposite of what you were thinking, but keep everything that is being said to you and that you have said. This will help show someone what happened instead of just relying on your memory. Save everything just in case.

Check out the crisis support page to find organizations near you that can help you. You can also reach out to a local hotline via the InHope Network to make a report or get help. If you're under 18 in the images, remember to tell the helpline, as it helps people know that you’re legally still a minor and take more aggressive action.