Stop sextortion – teens
You're not alone. You can handle this. If you are a victim of sextortion, take these actions now.
Five ways to respond to sextortion
- Take control. If someone asks you to share something that makes you uncomfortable, it's okay to say no, even if you already shared something with them, or someone else, before.
- Talk with someone you trust, like a close friend, teacher, counselor or parent. Sextortion is terrible, and people going through it are usually afraid to tell their friends. Tell your closest friends that if this ever happens to them, you’ll be there, you won’t judge and you have their back. Visit our crisis support page for organizations near you that may be able to provide live support.
- Report sextortion. It is against our policies to share intimate photos or videos against someone’s will, and it may be against the law. You can report the people threatening you, their threats, and any images they’ve shared. To learn more on how to report a photo, visit the Help Center. Contact local law enforcement if you're concerned about your physical safety.
- Don’t forward pictures or videos. If you don't have someone's permission to share an intimate photo/video of them, then you shouldn't share it. You may even be considered legally responsible if you forward these images, depending on the laws in your country. Visit the crisis support page for organizations near you to get more support and information.
- Tell your friends you have their back. When people are being threatened in this way, they may feel really alone. Let your friends know you're there for them.
For me
Don't panic.
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.
Get help.
Check out the crisis support section to find organizations near you that can help you.
Talk with someone you trust.
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?"
Save everything.
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.
Report it.
It is against our policies to threaten or force people to share intimate photos or videos. In some instances, it's also against the law. To learn more on how to report content or people, visit the Help Center. Contact local law enforcement if you feel you may be in danger.
For friends
Friends help each other. All the time.
You can even help your friends before they need it, and right now is one of those times. Sextortion can be a painful experience, and people going through it are usually pretty scared to tell their friends. Your friends need to know that you’ll be there for them, even if something like sextortion happens.
Tell them now — when everything is fine — and as often as possible. Tell your closest friends (or tell them all!) that you’ll be there for them. If you're not sure how to bring it up, try using the following script: “If someone ever tries to use an intimate photo of you to get you to do something you don’t want to do, I'll be here for you, I won’t judge you, and we will figure it out together.”
Share Thorn's "Stop Sextortion" video
Share it with all of your friends so they can be as informed as you are about what sextortion is and how it happens. When you share it, let your friends know that you’ll be there for them no matter what.
Don't forward pics.
This one is really simple: If you don't have someone's permission to share an intimate photo or video of them, then you shouldn't share it. You might be considered legally responsible if you forward these images depending on the laws in your country.
Support your friends.
Lift others up. Sextortion can make people feel really alone. Make your friends feel great by telling them what you think makes them unique and why you love them.
