Sexting/Sextortion

• NCMEC has seen a dramatic increase in sextortion cases being reported to our CyberTipline, especially financial sextortion where the offender demands money from the child. Teenage boys have been the most common targets in these recent cases.
• This crime may happen when a child has shared an image with someone they thought they knew or trusted, but in many cases they are targeted by an individual they met online who obtained a sexual image from the child through deceit, coercion, or some other method. In many cases, the blackmailers may have stolen or taken images of another person and they are communicating through a fake account. The blackmailer may have sent images as well.
• What to do – If you or a friend have experienced sextortion, there are some steps you can take now to make things better. 

• Review policies and handbook relating to AUP, digital communication and Internet abuse
  >>Kentucky School Board Association has sample policies
  – Access to Electronic Media 08.2323
  – Telecommunication Devices 09.4261
• State consequences clearly
• Be consistent

Sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos via cell phone, computer, or any digital device. Sexting may include photos and videos containing nudity or showing simulated or real sex acts. It also includes text messages that discuss or propose sex acts or other sexually explicit exchanges. (KCSS Handout)

Taking a picture of yourself and posting it has become a virtual phenomena. Celebs are doing it, athletes are doing it and the President is doing it! (KCSS Handout)

Sexual extortion, also known as sextortion, occurs when someone threatens another person – through violence, harm to reputation, or distribution of explicit material – with the intent to coerce them into unwanted actions. These actions may include engaging in sexual conduct, providing explicit content, providing money or valuables, or complying with demands against the victims’ will. These situations can cause significant emotional distress and place victims in dangerous situations. Many victims feel forced to comply because they are scared of the repercussions. (KCSS Handout)

Law Enforcement Can Subpoena “IP Addresses”. On Social Media Apps, when users agree to the terms of service an account is formed and information is logged. One piece of this information is a user’s IP address. (KCSS Handout)

NetSmartz – Sextortion is a type of blackmail used by offenders to acquire additional sexual content from a child, coerce a child into engaging in sexual activity, or obtain money from a child. Children can sometimes become victims of sextortion after sexting with someone they thought they knew and trusted, but NCMEC analysis has found that children who are victims of sextortion are often targeted and blackmailed by an individual they met online. That person may use deceit, coercion, or another method to obtain a nude or sexual image of the child before blackmailing them for more.

NetSmartz – Learn why they do it and what to say about it.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – This service is one step you can take to help remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before you were 18.

Common Sense Media – Most middle schoolers aren’t prepared for the risks associated with sexting and self-disclosure in relationships. As technology makes it easier than ever for kids to share photos digitally, the stakes have never been higher. In this video, your students can listen to other teens’ honest — and sometimes frank — thoughts about their experiences with sexting, then consider how they might react in similar situations.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Know2Protect is a national public awareness campaign developed by the Department of Homeland Security to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA); explain how to report online enticement and victimization; and offer response and support resources for victims and survivors of online child sexual exploitation and their supporters.

Common Sense Media – It’s natural for teens to be curious about their emerging sexuality. But most middle-schoolers aren’t prepared for the risks of exploring this in the digital age. Help students think critically about self-disclosure in relationships and practice how they’d respond to a situation where sexting — or a request for sexting — might happen.

Bark – Bark for Schools provides a world-class online safety solution for K-12 schools in the U.S. Our comprehensive solution comprises G Suite and Office 365 student account monitoring, Chrome/Chromebook monitoring, and a web content filter that categorizes and blocks harmful and inappropriate domains.

FindLaw – Under both state and federal law, child pornography is illegal. In Kentucky, there are various laws that criminalize the creation, possession, distribution, and promotion of material that portrays sexual performances by minors.