Digital Predators: How Teen Boys Are Becoming Targets of Sextortion Schemes

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A dark trend is silently devastating teen boys across America. Sextortion — digital blackmail using intimate images — has become a weapon in predators' arsenals, leaving thousands of young men and boys trapped between shame and fear. Behind screens and fake profiles, criminals manipulate teens into sharing personal content, then threaten to expose them unless demands for money or more images are met.

The statistics are alarming. The FBI documented over 7,000 sextortion cases targeting minors in 2022 alone, with at least 20 teens dying by suicide as a direct result. Boys are particularly vulnerable, often suffering in silence rather than reaching out for the support that could save them. The psychological toll is immense — victims withdraw from activities they love, distance themselves from friends, and carry a burden no young person should bear.

But there's power in knowing you're not alone and not at fault. This episode walks through the four critical steps to fight back: never pay the extortionist, tell someone you trust immediately, preserve all evidence, and report to authorities who stand ready to help. We outline specific resources including the FBI hotline and image removal tools that work without judgment or questions. For parents and friends, we provide guidance on recognizing warning signs and starting those difficult but potentially life-saving conversations. The predators count on silence and shame — but knowledge, community support, and courage are stronger weapons. Whether you're currently facing this nightmare or want to protect yourself and those you love, this episode provides the actionable strategies needed to turn victims into survivors.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:19):
New, normal big life pay up or do what they say.
This isn't a movie plot.
This is sextortion and it'shitting teen guys like you or
someone you love hard.
Stick with me this is real.
It's scary, but you're notalone and there's a way through
it.
Hi, friends, welcome to the newnormal big life podcast.
We bring you natural news andstories about nature that we

(00:41):
hope will inspire you to getoutside and adventure, along
with a step-by-step plan to helpyou practice what you've
learned and create your ownnormal and live the biggest life
you can dream.
I'm your host, antoinette Lee,the Wellness Warrior.
Welcome to today's episode.
We're diving into somethingheavy but so important
sextortion and its toll on teens, especially guys.

(01:04):
This isn't about blame or shame.
It's about understanding what'shappening, why it's not your
fault and how you can fight back.
Parents, friends, you're inthis too, because supporting
someone through this can changeeverything.
In 2022, the FBI tracked over7,000 sextortion cases targeting

(01:25):
kids, especially boys, andthose are just the ones reported
.
Predators are out there, hidingbehind screens, banking on your
fear, but here's the twist theydon't win if you know what to
do.
So what is sextortion?
Picture this Someone, usually astranger online, tricks you
into sharing a photo or video,something personal maybe they

(01:47):
pretend to be a friend, a crushor just someone cool.
Then they flip the script.
They threaten to send it toyour friends, your family, your
school, unless you send money orpics.
It's blackmail with a digitaltwist and it's spiking among
teen boys.
Why?
Because predators know guysmight feel too embarrassed to
speak up, but silence is theirweapon, not yours.

(02:07):
Listen, if this has happened toyou, I need you to hear this.
You didn't do anything wrong.
These people are criminals, notyou.
They're the ones who should beashamed, and you're not the only
one.
Thousands of guys are facingthis right now.
This isn't about a bad day.
Sextortion can mess with yourhead.
Imagine feeling trapped, likeevery notification might be the

(02:32):
end of your world.
Some guys pull back, quitsports, ditch their friends,
even start thinking there's noway out.
The FBI says at least 20 teenstook their life in 2022 because
of this.
That's 22 many, but here'swhere hope kicks in.
Every story doesn't have to endlike this.
Your parents, an older sibling,a relative or friend could help

(02:56):
you get through this.
Confide in someone today andget support.
Right now.
You've got power here.
These predators want you tofeel weak, but you're not.
You're stronger than they thinkand there's a whole team ready
to back you up Friends, family,even law enforcement.
You did nothing wrong.
When we come back from the shortbreak, we'll talk about how you

(03:18):
take back your power and fightback against these criminals.
Before we cover the next topicin this episode, I want to
introduce you to the adventuresports lifestyle through what I
call a micro story about anadventure that I've had.
The adventure sports lifestyleand my deep connection to nature
is essential to my good health.
So here's the story.
In winter, I walk on water, outon a frozen lake.

(03:41):
There's safe techniques to dothat, like using a spud bar to
check how hard and safe the iceis.
In summer, I stand on water andgo places.
That's the freedom of stand-uppaddleboarding.
I did that.
Now let's take back your powerand talk about fighting.
So how do you fight this?
Step one don't pay.

(04:01):
Sending money or pics doesn'tstop them.
It fuels them to demand morefrom you.
Step two tell someone I knowthat sounds impossible.
What if they judge me?
Or what if I feel shame?
But the people who love you.
They're not going to shame you.
They're here to protect you Aparent, a coach, a friend?

(04:23):
Pick one person you trust andsay I need help.
Step three don't delete yourmessages with this criminal.
Don't block them, don't closeyour account.
Authorities will use thisinformation to catch them and
make sure they pay for whatthey've done to you.
Remember it's not your faultand you don't deserve what's

(04:44):
happening to you.
Step four report it.
The FBI's got a hotline forthis 1-800-CALL-FBI, and there's
a site, takeitdownncmecorg,where you can get images removed
fast, no questions asked.
You don't have to face thisalone.

(05:04):
Law enforcement's alreadybusted rings doing this.
Hundreds of predators werelocked up because teens, just
like you, spoke up.
If you're a friend or familylistening, don't wait for your
teen to come to you, check in,say, hey, I've heard about
sextortion stuff, are you okay?
That one question could be alifeline.
Let's flip this on thepredators.

(05:25):
How do you stay safe?
Lock down your accounts Ifsomeone you don't know slides
into your DMs.
Block them.
Don't share anything.
You wouldn't post publicly, nomatter how much you trust the
vibe.
Predators are pros at faking it.
But here's the good news You'resmarter than they think.
You can outplay them.

(05:46):
Guys, if you're in thisnightmare right now, hold on.
You're not defined by whatthey've done to you.
You're defined by what you donext.
You've got people who willfight for you and every step you
take pulls you out of theshadows Friends, family.
Be that voice that says I'vegot your back Together.

(06:08):
We can turn this around.
If you're getting value fromthis content, leave us a review
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find us content.
Leave us a review wherever youget your podcast to make it
easiest for others to find us.
Until next time, friends, I'mAntoinette Lee, your wellness
warrior, here at the New NormalBig Life podcast.
I hope one day to see you onthe river, in the back country
or in the horse barn living yourbest life.
Tag new normal big life ornnblblog on social media so we

(06:33):
can celebrate your good healthin big life.
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(06:53):
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