Barbadians urged to be aware of ‘sextortion’

New details are emerging about a cyber threat targeting young people.

It is called “sextortion”.

It involves online predators who solicit compromising photos or videos from youngsters which are then used to blackmail them.

Over in the US, there have been thousands of reported cases and even one where a 17-year-old boy committed suicide.

Highlighting the issue on CBC TV8’s Morning Report, Director of Drug Education and Counselling Services Roger Husbands, confirms that sextortation is also occurring here in Barbados.

Mr Husbands wants parents and children to be extra vigilant. He says these incidents need to be reported to police as there is protection under the Computer Misuse Act.

Parents and guardians concerned that their children are the victims of sextortion are being urged to look out for the telltale signs. They involve suspicious behaviour where children may become withdrawn or spend a significant amount of time online.

Mr Husbands is also advising that parents urgently seek counselling for those caught up in such scams, to avoid a worst-case scenario where a child would want to take their own life.

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