According to the American organization National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the reports of adults seeking contact with children and young people on the internet worldwide increased by 192 percent last year.
Many of the cases – both internationally and in Sweden – involve sextortion, i.e. that criminals first trick young people into sending nude pictures on the internet – and then pressure them for money not to spread the pictures further. The conversations or chats often start normally, to then quickly become about sex.
It is a global problem, we see an increase but also that the dark figure is very large. It is a crime that is rarely reported, children do not even want to talk about it with the closest people in their lives, says Louise Åhlén, business developer at the police's National Operational Department Isöb, which works with internet-related sexual offenses against children.
Do not blame
The child has not done anything wrong.
It is mainly young adults with some form of their own economy that are affected. Older children, often boys, with their own bank account and the opportunity to swish. If you as a parent become aware that your child is exposed, the most important thing is not to blame, says Louise Åhlén. This is because it is shameful for the child.
Never come with reprisals, it is absolutely most important. The child is exposed. It is important to be there, to be present. You do not need to know so much, things like blocking accounts on the internet you can learn. Be curious and present.
"Brutal against children"
Louise Åhlén tells that the police can see that many of the criminals who deceive children often pretend to be a peer in chats and the like.
When it comes to the economic part, not the sexual, we see that it is about networks, criminal networks that really know this. It is sophisticated and brutal against children, she says.
If your child is exposed to extortion after sending a nude picture, you as a parent should not get angry or punish.
Show sympathy and understanding instead, your child is a victim of a crime.
Report to the police, take a screenshot and block the user.
Source: The Police
