Over the years, sexting [the sharing and receiving of sexually explicit messages and nude or partially nude images via computer or cell phone] has been increasing in our society with both adults and minors. For adults, sending these materials has resulted in revenge porn exposure and extortion threats, with people demanding payment or other benefits in exchange for not releasing the material [sextortion]. This conduct is increasingly being directed to our children. This letter is meant to warn parents and children of this problem so they can protect themselves. 

In 2022, the FBI and Homeland Security reported that, of the 30,000 cases of online sextortion reported in this country, over 7,000 of the complaints investigated involved online sextortion of children. They identified over 3,000 victims, primarily boys, leading to more than 12 suicides in the United States, including one confirmed in Michigan. The youngest victim [so far] was 9 years old. Many times the victim knows the predator, and they are many times local, but others have been identified from foreign countries. 

Sexting between minors has been increasing in our schools and is typically seen as harmless and voluntary by the students, but other times it is coerced. Even if pictures are sent voluntarily, if someone shares that image, it can be socially, emotionally and academically devastating. With children the problem is not just immaturity and the likelihood of using poor judgement; sexually explicit photographs of minors, whether voluntary or not, are considered child sexually abusive material [CSAM], and the mere possession of this material is a felony, upon conviction requiring sex offender registration. Producing and distributing these photos can be up to a 20-year felony. 

Some children are afraid to come forward with threats after voluntarily taking pictures of themselves and sharing them out of fear of being prosecuted. Some criminals are photoshopping faces of their victims onto naked photos of others. The minor being victimized is not breaking the law but can feel confused because the pictures themselves may be illegal. To be clear, the law is meant to protect minors from those who threaten to release the images, extort the minor or demand more images, unless they themselves are the predators, coercing, extorting, bullying, or sharing pictures of others without the other's consent. 

Children and teens across the nation are being threatened and coerced into sending explicit images online or paying money through cash apps to prevent their release. They are meeting people online through social media outlets - Facebook, Snapchat, lnstagram and numerous other apps. Many times, someone is posing as someone they are not. Children and adults who are being coerced should call the police. You are not the one breaking the law. 

Common tactics used by online predators include: developing a false online friendship then trying to move the child to another social app, hacking accounts to steal sexual images, visiting public media sources to get personal information about their victim to help establish a relationship with them, using multiple identities, at times threatening to commit suicide themselves if the minor refuses to send them images, or falsely claiming they already have the child's images. 

Some tips for parents and students:

If you have questions or concerns, contact your local police agency or the Calhoun County Prosecutor's Office.