FBI Launches Nationwide #StopSextortion Campaign

HOUSTON — The FBI has launched an online national campaign aimed at educating parents, educators, and children about the dangers lurking online. The #StopSextortion national campaign seeks to warn about the dangers of online activity that may lead to the solicitation and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual acts.

Sextortion, a practice that has become sadly common in some online communities, occurs when an adult manipulates or coerces a minor into producing a sexually explicit image or video and has the child sent those images over the Internet.

These predators uses these tactics to prey on children, and ultimately may be used to “groom” children to engage in inappropriate behavior.

The FBI officials said their investigators have seen significant increases in grooming and sextortion activity against children who use the internet. The most common child victims are between the ages 10 to 17, but any child can become a victim.

You can read more about sextortion here, and check out the FBI Twitter pages, which is sending the information in English and in Spanish using the hashtag #StopSextortion and #DeténLaSextorción.

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