EDMONTON — Alberta RCMP are using September to remind young people about the risks of cyberbullying and sextortion and how to respond if they become victims.
Police say youth can be especially vulnerable online, but learning safe digital practices can help reduce the risk of harm.
RCMP describe sextortion as a form of online blackmail in which someone threatens to share a sexual image or video unless the victim sends money or more intimate content.
Police say offenders may pretend to be the same age as the victim, use fake or incomplete social media profiles, quickly express strong feelings or pressure someone to move a conversation to a private platform.
Cyberbullying is described as the use of computers, smartphones or other digital devices to embarrass, threaten, harass, exclude or harm someone online.
RCMP say anyone targeted by sextortion should stop communicating with the offender and should not send money, images or additional content.
Victims are also encouraged to save evidence, including screenshots, usernames and profiles, deactivate but not delete social media accounts, and avoid accepting new friend requests after cutting off contact.
Police also recommend telling a trusted adult, parent, guardian, Elder or other support person.
Incidents can be reported to local police, the platform where they occurred or through Cybertip.ca. Help removing intimate images from the internet is also available through NeedHelpNow.ca.
For cyberbullying, RCMP recommend not responding to abusive messages or posts, saving evidence, blocking and reporting the person responsible and speaking with a trusted adult or support person.
The behaviour can also be reported to a school, website or app, while police should be contacted if someone feels threatened or believes a crime has been committed.
Const. Scott Sterling with the ALERT Internet Child Exploitation Unit says young people who witness cyberbullying or sextortion can also help by speaking up and connecting victims with trusted adults and available supports.
RCMP say more online safety information is available through Public Safety Canada’s Help for Youth resources.
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