Growing Online Threat to NS Youth.

Youth in the 14-24 age range are being targeted by online offenders, and are sometimes deceived and manipulated into sending explicit photos or videos.

The offender then blackmails the victim into sending more images, money or both.

The victim is left feeling alone, ashamed, scared and often desperate.

On #SaferInternetDay, talk to youth about this growing threat and how they can prevent it from happening to them:

• Be cautious when engaging with new or unknown individuals online
• Never share intimate images
• If being sextorted:
• Do not comply with any threats, do not send more images, do not send money
• Save a copy of any images you sent, and take screenshots of the messages and the offender’s profile, including username
• Deactivate, but do not delete, your account or images
• Report any tips to cybertip.ca and your local police
• Know that you are not alone

There are resources and supports available to help. For more information on staying safe online, visit cybertip.ca.

Source : RCMP Release