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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Libby Brooks

Our teenage son was targeted by a sextortionist online – here’s what we did

A teenage boy looks worried as he gazes at the screen of his phone
Sextortion is an increasingly common form of blackmail, but campaigners say children worry their parents won’t know how to help them. Photograph: James Chapelard

It was after midnight last November when Simon’s son burst into his parents’ bedroom and told them “something terrible’s happened”. Sixteen-year-old Nathan had been targeted by online criminals in a sextortion scam.

“We’ve had lots of conversations about this stuff with him over the years, but don’t think that your child is too sensible to do this,” said Simon.

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