CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As families across North Carolina embrace the freedom of summer break, officials are sounding the alarm about a disturbing trend: the rise in online sextortion cases targeting teens.
According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, tips related to these cases have more than tripled from 2019 to 2022, and a continued upward trajectory is expected this year.
U.S. Attorney Dena King, the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of North Carolina, says her office sees cases of predatory behaviors across all social media, messaging features on games and other online platforms.
“What predators seek to do is be able to gain trust… oftentimes they pose as that child's peer, or they pretend to be another child,” King said. “Generally, predators target children who are young, typically teenagers, but increasingly we're seeing that predators are targeting young people at younger and younger ages.”
King said parents should be proactive in safeguarding children online.
"What parents and guardians should do [is] really have conversations with their young people, and we would encourage them to have those conversations often and frequently," King said. "Just having that conversation one time is not going to be sufficient.”
For younger children, she advises parents to establish clear guidelines on acceptable online behavior and monitor their digital interactions closely.
“They should monitor their children's devices,” she said. “Children should be kind of encouraged to leave those devices in common places throughout the home. And then they should really just limit the amount of time that young people actually have exposure to these online tools.”
Even seemingly innocent platforms like gaming apps can harbor risks.
"Parents need to educate themselves about privacy settings and ensure their children understand the dangers of sharing personal information online," King added.
As children grow older and gain more independence online, King urged guardians to educate teens about the perils of sextortion and the importance of setting boundaries. She advises parents to stress the permanence of digital content and the risks associated with sharing intimate photos.
King also underscored the need for teens to verify the authenticity of online acquaintances and to be vigilant for signs of grooming or exploitation.
She urged parents and guardians to watch for behavioral changes that could signal distress in children, such as withdrawal, anger or anxiety.
If you suspect online enticement or exploitation of a child, alert law enforcement or file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org.
Learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Childhood initiative and find more information and resources for parents here.