Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/533703
PAGE 6 • JULY 2015 Sextortion is a fast growing issue and Canadian teens are being targeted. In the last year alone, Cybertip.ca – Canada's tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children – has seen a 35 per cent increase in the number of reports involving young people being sextorted online. Adults pretending to be teens are secretly recording teens sexually exposing themselves in live video chat, and then threatening to share the content online unless the teen either pays money (amounts reported range from $200 to $1000) or produces more sexual images/videos. Teens are vulnerable to sextortion because their need for acceptance and belonging strongly drives their decisions and, the belief that their identity can be kept secret online may lead youth to experiment in ways they wouldn't face-to-face. But, it is simple for anyone to capture a still image or video of a person on live video chat, like Skype, without the other person knowing. "It's a huge issue, and teens are especially at risk," says Signy Arnason, Director of Cybertip.ca. "This age group is impulsive, sexually curious and online – it's a dangerous combination." S e x t o r t i o n i s t s move to new tactics to target and victimize Canadian teens Cybertip.ca is also receiving new reports of sextortion showing that adults who are extorting young people are now taking it another step further to involve the teens' friends. Friends are being contacted through social media, like Facebook and Skype, and shown the sexual picture/video of their peer. Then they're told that if they don't share a sexual picture/video of themselves, the adult will post or share the image of their friend. If the teen complies and gives the adult a sexual picture/ video, they are then extorted for money to keep their image from being shared online. Youth need to know that sextortion is illegal. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection encourages parents to talk to their teens about sextortion. Tell youth that they should never send photos or money to someone threatening them online –even if the person keeps asking. Remind them that even if they made a mistake, their safety is number one and it's important that they talk to safe adult. "The best way to help protect teens from becoming victims of sextortion is to talk to them, teach them about the new ways teens are being targeted," says Arnason. "Parents need to assure their kids that no matter what, they will be there to help." For more information about ways to talk to teens about sextortion and other risk online go to: www.cybertip.ca/internet_safety_youth Congratulations, Graduatesof2015 OnbehalfofRedRiverCollege's SchoolofIndigenousEducation, we'reproudtocelebrateyour manyachievements,andwishyou continuedsuccessinthefuture! Phone:204.632.2180 | Toll-free:1.855.413.7854 | Email:register@rrc.ca | rrc.ca/aboriginaleducation Sextortionists move to new tactics to target and victimize Canadian teens Stay informed about new and concerning online trends affecting children/teens. Sign up for Cybertip.ca Alerts at www.cybertip.ca/alerts. Cybertip.ca is operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, a charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children Sextortion is illegal! If your child is being blackmailed or extorted online, call your local police immediately.