What is Sextortion?
Sextortion is when someone (usually a stranger online) tricks or pressures you into sending a naked or sexual photo/video of yourself, then threatens to send it to your mates, family, school, or post it everywhere unless you:
• Pay them money (usually through gift cards, bank transfer, Crypto, etc.) OR
• Send even more sexual pictures/videos
In the UK it’s a crime (sexual blackmail).
It’s covered by laws like the Sexual Offences Act and Online Safety Act. Even if you’re under 18, the police treat it seriously and the perpetrator can go to prison.
The Statistics…
1
The Main Platforms
Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok accounts for 83% of catfishing.
2
Seeking Help
Just 1 in 4 youth sought medical or mental health care post-victimisation. 1 in 8 had to relocate due to the abuse.
3
How Often Does This Happen?
110+ sextortion reports monthly from UK teens. 97% of victims aged 15–17 are boys, but it’s rising for girls too (IWF, 2025).
4
Younger Victims
5 confirmed cases of 11–13-year-olds in 2024: sextortion’s hitting even primary school age now.
5
Global Impact
Reports could hit 165,000 worldwide by end of 2025 (up from ~66,500 in 2024), with UK as one of the top targeted spots
6
The Rise of Deepfakes
Deepfake videos up 550% from 2019–2024, with ~95,820 videos in 2023 alone. 90–95% are non-consensual porn, and 90% target women/girls.
7
The UK & Deepfakes
17% of UK adults surveyed in 2024 said they’d seen sexual deepfakes of themselves or others in the last six months.
8
Violence Against Women & Girls
Crimes up 37% from 2018–2023, with tech (like deepfakes) in 40% of cases – affecting 1 in 12 women. Over half of child sexual abuse cases now involve underage boys as perpetrators against peers.
Most common version with UK teens:
Someone pretending to be a fit girl/boy your age on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok starts chatting, flirts, sends a nude first (usually a stolen pic), dares you to send one back, then flips and says “pay me £500 in 10 minutes or I send this to your entire following list and tag your school”. This turns very intense very fast with messages coming in constantly, pressure is put on you.
If this sounds familiar, please reach out for help.
You’re the victim, not the criminal- even if you sent the picture willingly at the start.
Keep reading for some steps you can take as precautions.
How to Stay COMPLETELY Un-touchable Online
1. Camera off = life on easy mode.
Never have your face + anything identifiable (school jumper, posters, tattoos) in the same pic/video.
2. Keep private bits private.
If you wouldn’t stick it on the common-room noticeboard, don’t send it. Simple.
If you have never met someone in-person, don’t believe they are real until you have, no matter what they say!
Even if you are in a relationship with someone, remember that things can all be so wonderful at first, but then the honeymoon phase passes, or it could turn nasty fast. It’s best to keep your intimate moments just that and off-screen.
3. Randomers online = massive red flag.
Most sextortion creeps pretend to be a fit lad/lass your age. Reverse-image search their pics or ask them to do a live pose (“hold up 4 fingers right now”). They’ll vanish.
4. Snapchat does NOT delete everything.
Screenshots and screen recordings are a thing. “It disappears” is the oldest lie in the book.
5. Anyone pressuring you is NOT worth it.
“Send or I’m gone”, “everyone else does it”, “don’t you trust me?” → block and delete.
6. Lock your accounts:
• Private Insta/TikTok/Snap
• Don’t add people you don’t know IRL
• Turn off “Quick Add” and “Suggested Friends”
7. Have a safe adult on speed-dial.
Pick one trusted grown-up (parent, auntie, youth worker) and agree on a code word like “cherries” or something you’ll remember, so you can get help fast with no awkward questions.
8. They start threatening? BLOCK + REPORT straight away.
Do NOT pay, do NOT send more, do NOT argue. Screenshot everything → block everywhere → report to the app + tell an adult. Most losers leg it the second you stop replying.
If someone is making you uncomfortable, you’re already feeling vulnerable or concerned from someone’s actions, then please reach out for support.
You can contact:
- Childline: 0800 1111 (24/7, no judgment).
- Revenge porn helpline: 0345 6000 459
- Apps can remove pics fast if you report early
Ask me anything!
If you have any questions about our sessions or talks, please get in touch using the button below.
