ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. -- School is out, which means children will have more time to use electronic devices and access the internet.

• Sextortion is when predators try to befriend your kids online, coercing them to share explicit videos or photos of themselves
• Suspects then threaten to post it publicly unless the child continues to send more
• To report suspected sextortion crimes, call your local FBI office or 1-800-CALL-FBI

So, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office is reminding parents about the dangers of sextortion.

That's when online predators try to befriend your kids online, coercing them to share explicit videos or photos of themselves, siblings or friends. The suspects then threaten to post it publicly unless the child continues to send more.

Sheriff Hans Miller says you should always keep a close eye on your child's social media friends list, monitor all apps, and set privacy settings to the strictest level possible.

"Educate kids, let them know threats are out there, be very, very careful what you do," said Sheriff Miller. "Never take an inappropriate picture of yourself or even an appropriate picture because that may be step number one to exploitation."

To report suspected sextortion crimes, call your local FBI office or 1-800-CALL-FBI.