Research + News | Topic: Online Threats

FBI Pittsburgh Warns About Recent Surge In Sexual Extortion Cases Targeting Teen Boys

Investigators say that predators are seeking out teenage boys online and posing as girls their age. Read the article here.

E-Violence Increases Through Early Adolescence But Declines As Teens Become Adults

Electronic dating violence—including electronic harassment, coercion and monitoring—starts increasing in preadolescence but curves as teens reach young adulthood, according to a new University of Michigan study. Read the article here.

Parents’ Fears Over Sexting And Abuse Among Teenagers

A vivid picture of sexual assaults and harassment in teenagers’ lives has been laid bare in recent months but parents rarely speak about the emotional turmoil they face. Read the article here.

Deadly Scam Aimed At Teens: This Is What One Houston-Area Family Wants You To Know

Remind your kids there’s no problem too big that you can’t work out together. Read the article here.

Boys Who Spend Lots Of Time Online More Likely To Cyberbully

What You Need To Know About The “Virtual Kidnapping” Scam Targeting Parents

Phone calls are made to the family demanding ransom money, but the scammers don’t actually have the child held hostage—they’re getting information from the parents’ social media. Read the article here.

Many Teens Are ‘Sextortion’ Targets

Sextortion is threatening to share sexually explicit photos without consent if a person doesn’t agree to certain demands, such as sexual favors or money. Read the article here.

Sick WhatsApp ‘Momo Suicide Game’ Infiltrates ‘Minecraft’

The horrific “Momo” WhatsApp ‘suicide game’ linked to the death of at least one teen has appeared in “Minecraft.” Read the article here.

Momo Challenge: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know

Parents are worried that a new challenge known as the Momo Challenge  — rumored to be a suicide challenge on WhatsApp — might be the successor to the Blue Whale Challenge. Read the article here.

Studies Reveal Revenge Porn Survivors Suffer Similar Trauma As Sexual Assault Survivors

Nonconsensual pornography is a relatively new phenomenon that has grown substantially in the past few years and involves uploading nude or semi-nude images/videos of a person online without their consent. Read the article here.