If you have a teenage son or grandson, you should be aware of a sextortion scam that has caused 30 suicide deaths of young men and countless struggles for many more. In this scam, a teen boy receives a message from someone who appears to be a teenage girl suggesting that someone they both know has told her to contact him. When they strike up a conversation, the scammer suggests that they exchange nude pictures, usually on a second app such as Snapchat or WhatsApp or in a private text message.
Once the boy does that, blackmail starts. The scammer tells him that he must send money or his nude photos will be sent to mutual contacts or friends on social media. The blackmailer accuses the male teen of being a criminal for exposing himself, and he will be put on a sex offender list.
This situation is tempting for a teen male who has hormones flowing. A nude picture of an attractive teenage girl is the bait. Teens who have grown up in a single-parent home are especially vulnerable to this scam, and those who work with teens need to be aware of it.
Churches must provide guidance on moral issues affecting teenagers. Years ago, I tried such a class with a woman teaching the girls and me teaching the boys. It was challenging and drew both praise and flak from parents. With social media today, such classes have become increasingly essential and more difficult.
There are resources providing help concerning this sextortion scam. Parents wanting to know what is available can contact this ministry at 269-687-9426 or 800-843-5678. Also, for many tips and resources, click THIS LINK to see a USA Today article by Rachel Hale and Veronica Bravo titled “What to do if you’re a victim.”
— John N. Clayton © 2025