FBI agent discusses the dangers of online blackmail targeting children, with predators manipulating kids into sharing explicit images. The podcast explores the traumatic effects on children, strategies for communicating with victims, and the alarming rise of predators using social media to exploit minors. It emphasizes the importance of educating kids on online safety and involving law enforcement in such cases.
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Quick takeaways
Online blackmail targets minors through manipulation tactics and demands for explicit content.
Parents must educate children on online safety, discourage sharing explicit content, and report incidents to law enforcement.
Deep dives
Increase in Online Blackmail of Youth
The FBI has noted an increase in online blackmail targeting minors. Online blackmail involves someone threatening to use explicit images or videos that the minor had previously sent and demanding something in return, such as money or additional explicit content.
Two Types of Online Blackmail
There are two types of online blackmail: traditionally motivated and financially motivated. Traditionally motivated online blackmail has been around for a few years, while financially motivated online blackmail began to emerge in early 2022. From October 2021 to March 2023, the FBI received over 6,000 reports of financially motivated online blackmail.
Demographics and Behavior Patterns
Traditionally motivated online blackmail tends to target girls aged 10 to 17, although there has been an increase in victims as young as seven. Financially motivated online blackmail primarily targets males aged 13 to 17. The predators in both cases use manipulation tactics and build trust before demanding explicit images or videos.
Importance of Communication and Awareness
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in protecting children from online blackmail by having open and ongoing conversations about online safety. It's essential to educate children about the risks, encourage them not to share explicit content, and immediately report any incidents to law enforcement. The FBI emphasizes the need for collective efforts to combat this growing threat and provide support to victims.
Supervisory Special Agent Brenda Born leads the FBI's operation behind battling Online Blackmail, otherwise known as "Sextortion". This is a horrible practice with predators on the internet will target children, pretend they are friendly, convince them to share explicit images, and then hold those images ransom in exchange for money. This not only results is significant financial loss for children and families, but can destroy the mental health of a child or even lead to death. The FBI contacted me about doing a piece on Online Blackmail, and I agreed it was a very serious problem affecting young people that we need to discuss openly and often.
Information on Online Blackmail:https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/sextortion
Here is a link to where people can submit tips or information to the FBI:https://tips.fbi.gov/home
00:00 Intro
01:28 What Is Online Blackmail?
07:50 Thoughts For Parents
10:56 Online Gaming
11:45 How Predators Use Social Media
13:50 The Internet Is Like Driving
14:39 Who Are These Predators?
16:20 What Patterns Are There?
22:50 How To Fix Things
26:16 Worst Case She's Seen
36:55 Life In The FBI
Executive Producer and Host: Doctor Mike Varshavski
Produced by Dan Owens and Sam Bowers
Art by Caroline Weigum
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