Sextortion: prevention grounded in research
Dr. Sameer Hinduja helps schools, law enforcement, clinicians, platforms, and other organizations understand and address one of the fastest-growing threats to young people.
The research behind the talk
Financial sextortion has surged, and it is reaching younger and younger teenagers, often boys, who are targeted by organized actors operating across borders. Many adults do not yet understand how it works, how quickly it escalates, or why a frightened young person so rarely tells anyone.
Dr. Sameer Hinduja has published some of the most cited research on adolescent sexting and sextortion in the United States. Crucially, the talk explains not only what to do, but why young people engage in the behaviors, such as sexting, that can lead to sextortion in the first place, grounded in adolescent development. That understanding is what makes prevention work, and the session translates it into strategies for schools and homes, delivered with care and without sensationalism.
Platforms care deeply about this issue, and Dr. Hinduja speaks to technology companies on it directly. The talk covers the platform side, how companies can detect threats, support reporting, verify users, and design products that reduce the risk of sextortion and image-based abuse.
Most requested presentation
Sextortion and Image-Based Abuse: Protecting Young People
The session explains how sextortion and image-based abuse actually unfold, why young people are vulnerable, and what trusted adults can do to prevent harm and respond well when it happens. It covers the developmental reasons behind risky behavior, concrete prevention strategies for both schools and homes, the legal and reporting landscape, and the importance of a calm, non-punitive response. The emphasis throughout is on education and support rather than fear or blame.
Audiences leave able to:
- Understand how sextortion and image-based abuse work and how fast they escalate.
- Understand why young people engage in behaviors like sexting that can lead to sextortion.
- Apply prevention strategies that work in both school and home settings.
- Recognize the warning signs and the reasons young people stay silent.
- Respond in supportive, non-punitive ways that keep young people safe.
- Know the legal and reporting landscape, including recent legislation.
Who this is for
Each presentation is tailored to the audience and the concerns of the specific community, and is available in person or online.
What hosts say
"As a law enforcement professional working in the school system, the information Dr. Hinduja provided was easily understood and showed others what we are dealing with and what can be done to educate youth and parents."
Adam Heath, School Resource Officer, Abingdon Police Department
"His realistic approach reminds parents that technology is not evil, but a part of life we need to learn to navigate. After listening to Sameer, audience members are provided with realistic solutions."
Carol Johnson, Community Education Manager, Eagle River Youth Coalition, CO
"I was so pleased with Dr. Hinduja's presentation at our Cyber Crime conference. He offered a well-planned, well-executed presentation, and participants came away with information relevant to their jobs as well as practical solutions."
Denise Dew, MSW, Conference Coordinator, Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol/Washington County, VA
"It was an absolute privilege. He had a speaking style that immediately engaged and connected with the audience, and both caregivers and attendees found his sessions impactful and informative."
Milet Hopping, Teen Suicide Prevention Symposium, Junior League of Waco, TX
"He communicated most eloquently and effectively the importance of being skillful with technology so that we can responsibly understand and monitor the online environments of our youth."
Kim Mazauskas, Bullying Prevention and Intervention Coordinator, School District of Palm Beach County, FL
"At this moment Sameer is one of the premier speakers on the issue of cyberbullying and sexting with adolescents and young adults. He is personable and easily connects with young people."
Detrick McGriff, Ed.D., Principal, Haverford Middle School
Common questions
What does Dr. Hinduja's sextortion presentation cover?
It explains how sextortion, financial sextortion, and image-based abuse work, why young people engage in the behaviors that lead to them, the warning signs, and how schools, families, law enforcement, and platforms can prevent harm and respond supportively. It also covers the legal and policy landscape.
Does it cover prevention for both schools and homes?
Yes. The session gives concrete, developmentally informed prevention strategies that work in classrooms and in families, not only response after an incident.
Is the content appropriate for student audiences?
Yes. Student versions are age-appropriate and focus on awareness, prevention, and how to seek help safely. Versions for educators, parents, law enforcement, and platforms go deeper on response.
What is his approach to such a sensitive topic?
Careful and non-sensational. He emphasizes education, support, and non-punitive response over fear or blame, which research shows makes young people more likely to disclose and seek help.
Background
per Stanford University
Dr. Hinduja is a Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and a Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. He is Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center and has published widely cited national research on adolescent sexting and sextortion. He has served as an expert witness in national and international litigation and advised the White House across two administrations on youth online safety. You can read his full biography at hinduja.org.