1 in 5 Teens Experience Sextortion Online — What Parents Need to Know

One in five teens and young adults say they’ve experienced sextortion, according to a 2025 survey by child safety nonprofit Thorn—highlighting a fast-growing online threat facing young people.

The survey of 1,200 individuals ages 13 to 20 found that these crimes often begin with predators posing as peers online. After building trust, they pressure victims into sharing explicit images—then demand money, threatening to send those images to friends and family.

“These kids are at a vulnerable age and often feel like they have nowhere to turn,” said Jacinta Miller of the FBI. “They think their life is over.”

A Crime Without Borders

Because these interactions happen online, perpetrators can operate from anywhere in the world—making them difficult to track and prosecute.

Authorities say many cases start on familiar platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Roblox, or online gaming chats.

“It begins as a normal conversation with someone pretending to be their age,” said Mark Williamson, who leads Oregon’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. “Very quickly, it turns into a threat: pay up, or your images get shared.”

Starting the Conversation at Home

For law enforcement, one of the hardest parts is informing parents—many of whom have no idea their child is at risk.

Experts say prevention starts with open communication. Parents are encouraged to talk early and often about online safety, boundaries, and what to do if something feels wrong.

“Let kids know you’re a safe person to come to,” said child abuse expert Dr. Antonia Chiesa. “They need to feel they won’t get in trouble for speaking up.”