Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
(Jackson, Mississippi) Attorney General Lynn Fitch is using Safer Internet Day this year to start the conversation about sextortion. Sextortion is a type of blackmail used by offenders to obtain sexual content or money from a child, or to coerce them into engaging in sexual activity. With more children online, it is a rising concern for parents across the country.
As the head of Mississippi’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is a multi-jurisdiction law enforcement effort to protect children from online predators, General Fitch released tips to educate families on the prevalence of this crime and offer tips on how to avoid, stop, and report it.
Tips:
● If someone threatens to release explicit photos of you or your child
and demands money, stop responding.
● Do not send any more images.
● Do not pay them any money.
● Take screenshots.
● Report and block the user.
● Report it to the CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.org. Cyber tips are
forwarded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
to my office for investigation.
“Remember: if this happens to you, it’s never too late to get help. Don’t be embarrassed, you’re not alone,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch.
For video on: “What is sextortion?” click HERE.
For video on: “What should someone do if they’ve already shared photos with a predator?” click HERE.
The Attorney General’s Office offers educational resources for both parents and adolescents on Internet safety. Please contact us if your community organization or school would like some for distribution.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
