Australian police are warning about ‘sadistic sextortion’. Here’s how it works, and the red flags for parents

Sadistic sextortion offenders are entrapping young people trying to gain access to online communities, often making their victims feel complicit, Australian federal police have warned. Photograph: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

Children as young as 12 are being coerced into producing extreme content, from sex acts to self-harm, over the internet at a rising rate, Australian federal police have warned parents and guardians.

The practice, which police term sadistic sextortion, involves extreme online communities. Members from around the world, using nicknames, are coercing children on social media and messaging platforms to self-produce explicit sexual and violent content to gain entry to the groups, an AFP statement detailed. Offenders can be the same age as victims.