Amanda Prestigiacomo

Additionally, the Cyber Tip Line, which is run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or NCMAC, received nearly 200,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, which includes extortion. That number has quadrupled since 2021, when the tip line received just under 50,000 reports.

Instagram and Snapchat, according to Nick Mack, are the two most used apps for these crimes. Messages can disappear on both apps, which creates a false sense of privacy for kids using them. According to parents of numerous victims, minors will be messaged by an account they think is a female of a similar age who might tell them that they have mutual friends in common.

Instagram and Snapchat, according to Nick Mack, are the two most used apps for these crimes. Messages can disappear on both apps, which creates a false sense of privacy for kids using them. According to parents of numerous victims, minors will be messaged by an account they think is a female of a similar age who might tell them that they have mutual friends in common.

The conversation then turns sexual, and soon after the victim sends over explicit material, the blackmail begins. Guffey often speaks to young people about online safety, how to avoid these scams, and what to do if you ever find yourself in such a situation.

The conversation then turns sexual, and soon after the victim sends over explicit material, the blackmail begins. Guffey often speaks to young people about online safety, how to avoid these scams, and what to do if you ever find yourself in such a situation.

In his son's case, the scammers were asking for only a couple hundred dollars, he told me.

In his son's case, the scammers were asking for only a couple hundred dollars, he told me.

Guffey also has social media companies in his sights. He's currently suing Meta, the parent company of Instagram, over his son's death. And he told me that he filed the suit directly and he's not demanding money, but instead demanding change. He wants these companies to have some protections stripped over their lack of action concerning explicit content of minors.

Guffey also has social media companies in his sights. He's currently suing Meta, the parent company of Instagram, over his son's death. And he told me that he filed the suit directly and he's not demanding money, but instead demanding change. He wants these companies to have some protections stripped over their lack of action concerning explicit content of minors.

Currently, he's working with Senator Ted Cruz on the Take It Down Act. The bill would require social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to remove any content that features explicit images or videos of minors or child sexual abuse material known as CSAM or revenge porn within 48 hours of it being flagged.

Currently, he's working with Senator Ted Cruz on the Take It Down Act. The bill would require social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to remove any content that features explicit images or videos of minors or child sexual abuse material known as CSAM or revenge porn within 48 hours of it being flagged.

The Take It Down Act passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week and has been championed by First Lady Melania Trump. As for parents of potential victims, Guffey is preaching grace and understanding.

The Take It Down Act passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week and has been championed by First Lady Melania Trump. As for parents of potential victims, Guffey is preaching grace and understanding.

Lee emphasized to me that parents need to be speaking to their children about these threats. Conversations about stranger danger really need to evolve to include online safety.

Lee emphasized to me that parents need to be speaking to their children about these threats. Conversations about stranger danger really need to evolve to include online safety.

Lee said that the average parent only spends 46 minutes in a child's entire lifetime talking about how to stay safe online. Since those conversations can sometimes be a challenge for parents, Our Rescue on its website offers a guide called Let's Start Talking.

Lee said that the average parent only spends 46 minutes in a child's entire lifetime talking about how to stay safe online. Since those conversations can sometimes be a challenge for parents, Our Rescue on its website offers a guide called Let's Start Talking.

The nonprofit also spends time inside schools across the country with its law enforcement partners in all 50 states to discuss online safety. Closing out our interview, Guffey had a simple message. Tomorrow needs you.

The nonprofit also spends time inside schools across the country with its law enforcement partners in all 50 states to discuss online safety. Closing out our interview, Guffey had a simple message. Tomorrow needs you.

If you or someone you know thinks they're a victim of sextortion, please call law enforcement. You can report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting tips.fbi.gov.