How does one deal with the anxiety from a sextortion attempt?

[Brem]

Sextortion seems to be on the rise as of late, especially with how popular social media is. People more than ever, including teens and young adults are chronically online, leading to online relationships. Some resulting in catfishing attempts where private photos are shared. Scammers will strike up conversations with people in an attempt to gain personal and private photos from people, usually adult content that the scammer than uses to extort the victim into sending money. It gets to the point that even sending money is not enough.

How is one to cope with a sextortion attempt during and after? I've never been a victim of one, but I hear so much talk about it online and in the news, that I do worry more and more for the youth who is often stuck online and tricked into this sort of stuff.

I suggest to never share anything too revealing or private with a stranger, even if they show they are a real person. If someone does get private photos of yours and threatens to expose you, don't give in to them, don't pay them. Ignore them. The worst that can happen is they share your photos. If they do that, they are potentially sharing illegal material and in turn could face even more jail time. So the chance they show your content is usually slim. And even if they do, family and friends will understand and most likely will support you. And remember, the victim should not feel guilt for what they did.

What are some other steps you should take if you're a victim of a sextortion attempt? If you have dealt with this before, how did you deal with it? Did you seek help?

 

[Nomad]

This is becoming a big problem in our society. One of the biggest causes of suicide among young people is because of sextortion. I have seen this happen in my neighborhood. While some people, especially if they are in show business, have been able to handle it well (at least from the surface level), but for common people, especially women, it is a trauma that they might not handle well

 

[Brem]

This is becoming a big problem in our society. One of the biggest causes of suicide among young people is because of sextortion. I have seen this happen in my neighborhood. While some people, especially if they are in show business, have been able to handle it well (at least from the surface level), but for common people, especially women, it is a trauma that they might not handle well

It's been a problem for quite a while unfortunately, it's only getting worse now with the likes of AI and other tools out there. Scams are getting more advanced because of it.

There was a young man who committed suicide because of a sextortion attempt. I believe the scammer pretended to be a woman and they struck up an online relationship. This resulted in private photos being shared and the scammer threatened to share them with his family, so he ended his life.

This young man could have been saved from this outcome. We need more resources for those affected by sextortion so it never comes to this.

 

[Fidelia]

Sextortion has become a big problem in the use of the internet. I don't know how it works but I don't feel any thrill to take nude photos, talk more of sending it to someone. I won't also ever record a sextape for any reason. But if someone is trying to extort you because they have your private contents, zero your mind and tell them to leak it. People would only talk and would soon forget it. You can't pay enough for Sextortion.

 

[Brem]

Sextortion has become a big problem in the use of the internet. I don't know how it works but I don't feel any thrill to take nude photos, talk more of sending it to someone. I won't also ever record a sextape for any reason. But if someone is trying to extort you because they have your private contents, zero your mind and tell them to leak it. People would only talk and would soon forget it. You can't pay enough for Sextortion.

The best tip I can give anyone, is to know who you're talking to on the internet, and don't share any personal or private stuff. Even if you're in a relationship with that person, never share something too personal or private, because there's always a risk someone can find it later.

 

[eLdavis]

I have never experienced this before so I can't really say much about it but i think in cases like this it would be best to get someone you can talk to, it's never easy dealing with this. Then again one needs to be always careful who they talk with.

 

[Teri W]

When a person is being blackmailed with leaking of their private photos and videos, they should immediately report to a person in authority. The blackmailer can be tracked and arrested. It is not a good thing to panic when a sextortion attempt is targeted at you. Panic would sink you deeper into depression.

 

[Master-one]

Such kind of cases are not that common as far as I know. I have never heard of such cases. However, this does not mean that I am denying it. It might happen rarely.

 

[Brem]

When a person is being blackmailed with leaking of their private photos and videos, they should immediately report to a person in authority. The blackmailer can be tracked and arrested. It is not a good thing to panic when a sextortion attempt is targeted at you. Panic would sink you deeper into depression.

I agree 100%. If someone is dealing with a sextortion attempt, it's best to reachout for help ASAP. Oftten the mistakes people make is to give into the demands and send them money. Sadly, the extortion doesn't end this way, so they will keep at it. The best thing you can do is ignore the people doing it, report it to authorities and try to steer clear of the internet for a while.

If they do release any private info, I'm sure most family members will understand the situation. And if not, they will eventually forgive you. And if they don't they aren't worth having in your life.