OLDS — Olds RCMP are warning people about the dangers of sending nude photos following a recent increase in ‘sextortion’ reports.
Recently, Olds RCMP have investigated reports involving people who shared intimate images online and were then extorted for money to prevent those images from being distributed.
Police are encouraging adults to talk to their kids about the dangers of sextortion and the potential consequences of communicating online.
“We understand it may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it’s an important one to have with your children,” says Staff Sgt. Warren Wright, the commanding officer of the Olds RCMP detachment.
“Unfortunately, once those images are sent, you have lost control of those pictures and may be distributed to other people; it is very difficult to have them removed.”
If an incident like this does happen, children need to know they can go to a safe, trusted adult to report it, according to police. Some tips they have for both children and parents to increase online safety include:
• think before you post – information is instant, public, and permanent;
• do not accept friend requests on social media from unknown people;
• do not share or send intimate images of yourself with anyone – if you aren’t OK with the whole world seeing it, do not send it;
• use privacy settings on social media and keep personal information to a minimum; and
• trust your instincts, if anything about an interaction makes you feel uncomfortable, end the conversation immediately.
Parents can support kids by:
• being open about online behaviour;
• making online activity part of your regular conversations;
• encouraging your child to take breaks away from devices; and
• working with your children on how to behave safely online from a young age.
If you are a victim, police advise to stop communicating with the person immediately. Do not comply with the threat; do not send money or additional images. Keep the correspondence and report the incident to local police.
Resources and additional information on ways to keep safe online can be found by visiting www.needhelpnow.ca or www.cybertip.ca/sextortion.
