Left To Their Own Devices Blackmailed
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Oct 17, 2025 Carol Todd, founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, joins to discuss the harrowing impact of online exploitation on teens. She shares her experiences with her daughter Amanda and connects with Sarah, a young victim of online blackmail. Their conversation reveals the sinister nature of grooming, the devastating effects of sextortion, and the urgent need for change in digital safety measures. Together, they advocate for protection against the growing threats young people face online today.
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Teen Finds Solace, Then Danger Online
- At 12 Sarah got a phone on Wi‑Fi and soon discovered social apps like Instagram and Snapchat.
- When she felt isolated, Yubo offered connection that quickly led to predatory relationships.
Grooming Escalated Rapidly
- Predators escalated from friendly chats to sexual questions and requests for photos within weeks.
- Sarah answered out of trust and then felt trapped as the requests multiplied to dozens of accounts.
Blackmailed Into Coercion
- After refusing, Sarah was blackmailed with her earlier Snapchat content and coerced to film an illegal sexual act.
- She complied out of fear for her parents and then the blackmailer disappeared temporarily.