Carlene Auestad

American kids are dying by s*icide after being sextorted. Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing threats facing teens in America, and most parents have no idea how it works. It comes in three main forms: Sexually motivated: they want more images. It most often targets girls. Financially motivated: they want money. These predators often pose as a girl to get a teenage boy to send one image, then threaten to share it unless he pays. Sadistically motivated: they want to see a child suffer. They force kids to hurt themselves or others, and they record it. 1 in 5 teens say they’ve experienced it, and about 77% never told their parents. Predators depend on that silence. You can break it. Talk with your son or daughter tonight and make sure they know they can always come to you, no matter what. Try saying: “If this ever happens, come to me. No matter what you’ve sent or what anyone threatens, please tell me. We will get through this together.” Know a parent? Send it to them. Get the tools to start the conversation: timtebowfoundation.org/while… If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, the S*icide & Crisis Lifeline.