Texted a pic? Someone threatening to share it? Read on.

I read this article this morning. So-called "sextorters" are targeting young guys online, posing as girls, getting the guys to share nude photos, and then threatening to share those photos with others if they are not paid. This makes for an incredibly stressful situation, panic even, and that's totally understandable. Tragically, some guys have killed themselves over this.

That makes me both sad, and angry.

This, like other online scams, is not something that can easily be stopped. But we can stop it from working. It only works because of feelings of intense embarrassment and shame that accompany the thought of other people seeing those photos. So, if we can't stop people, often in foreign countries, from targeting young guys in this country (83% of the targeted are guys), we can stop them from being effective. How?

Don't judge the guy who shared the photo of himself.

And make it known that you wouldn't judge.

Guys, tell your friends to be careful online, to try to verify who they're chatting with via video call before sharing photos, to use a disappearing photos option that also blocks screenshots, like the "1" option in WhatsApp. Apparently 63% of reported incidents happen on Instagram or Snapchat.

Let your friends know that if they ever get caught in this trap, you'd totally understand, empathize with them, and stand together against the disgusting people trying to take advantage of them and their normal behaviour, and defend them against anyone who gives them a hard time.

And if you receive such a photo of someone you know, just delete it, and reach out to your friend and tell him, hey whatever's going on, don't worry about it, after some time passes no one will care. Be there to talk. Use humour that works for the vibe of your friendship: that the idiot thought you would judge him, so stupid - whatever can help your friend feel more comfortable.

If you're under 18, and you're threatened by someone saying that they will share a nude photo of you ... tell them that you are in Canada and under 18 years of age, and you will report them for possessing and distributing child pornography. The penalties in Canada are up 10 years in prison for possessing and up to 14 years for distributing. Ask them where they are and what the penalty is in their country. Tell them it's illegal in 118 countries. If they are scamming from Nigeria, as the CBC article mentioned, it is illegal there.

Canadian Criminal Code: article 163.1 definition of child pornography

If you encountered the person in a dating or social media app, use a "report" feature to report them.

Report the incident to cybertip ! ca, Canada's National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children. According to their website they receive an average of 6 reports a day; you're not alone.

Contact us. We'll set up a video call over Zoom so we can talk. Your call will be confidential, and it will be free.

Guys, take care of each other.

Let's make sure something like the tragedy in the news today never happens again.

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Video on LinkedIn by Toronto Police Service:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/toronto-police-service_sextortion-is-a-serious-issue-if-someone-activity-7384948693109493760-vCZS?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAaXbYB4VVMuKAYljWT4XkqpxqmIDIrCe0

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I'm going to also share here, the same resources shared by the article.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to look for help:

• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.

• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.