Trapped by Online Perverts: Stories about how children have suffered from Online stalkers

Children become easy targets for perverts who prey on them online. Now, when teenagers spend most of their free time on the Internet, the world wide web can become a real trap for them, from which it is not easy to get out. Experts warn that during the quarantine on the Internet becomes even more dangerous, because children are tied to phones and computers more than usual. Three women decided to tell bitter stories about how they and their children suffered from online pedophiles, to warn others of the tragedy.Pedophiles, using deception and various tricks, force teenagers to undress and behave inappropriately in front of a webcam, and then steal explicit photos and videos. After that, the criminals blackmail the young victims, demanding money or new porn materials. Seduction and molestation of minors on the Internet becomes even more likely during self-isolation, when children actively use social networks and applications for communication.

Teenagers are hunted not only by perverts, but also by criminals who want to make money on threats and blackmail. Most often, they search for victims in chat rooms and multi-user video sites. The villains get to know the children, gain their trust, and then start doing their own nasty things. There are even groups in which criminals and pedophiles share tips on how to lure children into their networks.

The three women decided to share the horrific stories of online molestation that occurred in their families, so that other parents would avoid the bitter experience. What they had to go through, you can't wish on the enemy.

At that time, Ben was 14 years old. He started corresponding with a Facebook user, whom he thought was a friend of a mutual acquaintance. In fact, the account was run by a man who gradually collected information about the teenager. After three weeks of communication, the criminal began to threaten the guy that he would tell his friends that he was gay and kill his parents if he did not send him explicit photos and did not make a video call on Skype.

Ben tried to commit suicide twice, the first time after two years of nightmare, and the second time when his parents found out. Fortunately, the guy survived. The main blackmailer was jailed for 4.5 years. Rachel says that such a punishment is too lenient for the criminal who destroyed the life of their family. Ben hardly leaves the house and suffers from increased anxiety, despite the fact that several years have passed. The parents still blame themselves for what happened.

Rhiannon was chatting with a woman who introduced herself as a modeling agent. Sincerely believing that she had made friends with a good person, the girl involuntarily shared with her the details of her personal life. A new acquaintance said that Rhiannon has modeling skills and can build a career on the catwalk. Gradually, she got the girl to take a topless photo and send it to her.

Explicit videos and photos that blackmailers receive from young victims sometimes end up on illegal websites. Gullible teenagers become easy targets for criminals and perverts. Such cases can occur in front of parents who do not know what is happening behind the closed door of the children's room. You need to be more attentive and sensitive to any changes that occur with your child in order to avoid the irreparable.

Danger can be waiting for children where it is not expected at all. American Mary Demuth told how she became a victim of violence in the Boy Scouts.