POSH
My Child Is Being Blackmailed Online
This is urgent — but panic makes it worse.
Stay calm, stop contact, save evidence, and get the right help quickly.
Use this page if someone is threatening your child:
Sharing images, exposing messages, demanding money, asking for more content, or forcing them to keep secrets.
High urgency response
THREAT → PANIC → CONTROL
Blackmail works by creating fear and urgency.
The goal is to make your child react quickly instead of thinking clearly.
Calm breaks control.
Your response decides whether the situation escalates or stabilises.
Immediate rules
Do not send more
Do not pay
Do not negotiate alone
Do not panic-reply
Do not delete evidence
Giving in increases control — it does not stop it
What blackmail can look like
- “Send more or I share this.”
- “Pay me or I send it to your friends.”
- “I have your followers list.”
- “I know your school.”
- “Reply now or I post it.”
- “You trusted me — now do what I say.”
The message is always the same: fear + urgency
What to do right now
- Tell your child they are not in trouble
- Stop all contact with the person
- Do not send anything else
- Do not pay or transfer money
- Save all messages, usernames, and threats
- Take screenshots of everything
- Move to reporting and support pathways
Start with: “We are going to stop this getting worse.”
Why blackmail works
- Fear of embarrassment
- Fear of parents finding out
- Shame and confusion
- Pressure to act quickly
- Isolation (“don’t tell anyone”)
Silence is the tool being used against your child
Signs your child may be under pressure
- Sudden panic or distress on their phone
- Constant checking or fear of notifications
- Trying to hide or delete messages
- Unusual requests for money or gift cards
- Emotional shutdown or withdrawal
- Refusing to talk about someone online
What evidence to save
- Username, handle, profile link
- All messages and threats
- Any images sent or received
- Payment requests or details
- Platform used and any app changes
- Dates and times if possible
Do not delete until everything important is saved
The escalation pattern
Contact begins
↓
Trust or pressure builds
↓
Content is shared
↓
Threat appears
↓
Demands increase
Once threats begin, the goal is control — not resolution
What to say to your child
“You are not in trouble for telling me.”
“This is not your fault.”
“We are not sending anything else.”
“We are going to deal with this together.”
“The person threatening you is doing wrong.”
Where blackmail often starts
Final POSH reminder
Do not send more
Do not pay
Do not stay silent
Do not panic
Calm action protects your child — panic increases risk