June Internet Safety Month: Sextortion, Easy Tips to Protect Yourself Online!

Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another deep dive into something I’ve been messing around with lately. So, June is Internet Safety Month, and I got sucked into this whole “sextortion” thing. I mean, who knew this was such a big deal, right? I decided to roll up my sleeves and see what this is all about.

Getting Started

First off, I just started by reading up on what sextortion even is. Turns out, it’s way more common than I thought. People, especially young folks, are getting caught up in this mess, and it’s pretty scary. So, I thought, “Why not document my journey and share it with you guys?” Maybe it’ll help someone out there.

Diving Deeper

I started digging around the internet, just to see what kind of info is out there. There are tons of articles and stories about people who’ve gone through this. I even found some tips for parents and caregivers on how to keep their kids safe. That’s when it hit me – this isn’t just some random issue; it’s a real problem that needs attention.

My Little Experiment

So, I decided to run a little experiment. I created a dummy social media account, just to see how easy it is for someone to get targeted. Let me tell you, it didn’t take long before I started getting some weird messages. Nothing too crazy, but it was enough to make me realize how quickly things can escalate.

Putting Together Some Tips

After seeing all this firsthand, I figured I should put together some tips based on what I learned. Here’s what I came up with:

• Be careful who you talk to online: I know it sounds obvious, but seriously, don’t just trust anyone who slides into your DMs.
• Keep your private stuff private: Think twice before you send any personal pics or videos. Once they’re out there, you can’t take them back.
• Talk to someone if something feels off: If you ever feel uncomfortable or like someone’s trying to pressure you, tell a trusted adult or friend.

Wrapping It Up

Honestly, this whole experience was a real eye-opener for me. I went in thinking it was just another internet buzzword, but it’s a serious issue that’s affecting a lot of people. I hope my little journey here can help someone out there stay safe. Remember, the internet can be a great place, but it can also be a bit of a jungle. Stay safe, everyone!