How To Stop Sextortion on Snapchat?

Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps worldwide. It is a platform where people can share photos and videos and chat with others without having to worry about the aftermath of the material they share since it deletes quickly after sending…so they think. There is a downside to the app, and it’s called sextortion. Read on to learn how to stop sextortion on Snapchat and ways to prevent becoming the next victim.

Protecting Your Privacy on Snapchat: Essential Tips and Settings

Understand Sextortion:

To protect yourself from sextortion, you need to understand what it is. Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where scammers acquire explicit images or videos of their targets and then threaten to share these images publicly unless their demands are met. They often use fake accounts to approach their victims by being sexually flirtatious and asking for explicit photos or videos. Therefore, always avoid sending any explicit material through Snapchat at all costs.

Set Your Privacy Settings:

Snapchat provides different privacy settings to help you restrict who sees your snaps and stories.  You should adjust your privacy settings to control who views your stories and who can DM you, among other privacy options. You can achieve this by going to “settings,” then “who can view my story,” “who can contact me,” etc.

Be Suspicious of Strangers:

It’s not wise to accept friend requests from people you don’t know on Snapchat because they may be unscrupulous online predators who may take advantage of your naivety to blackmail you later on. Therefore, be skeptical of strangers who approach you on the platform, and don’t entertain any requests for explicit images.

Use Two-Factor Authentication:

Snapchat offers a two-factor authentication process that adds an extra layer of security to your account. This feature helps to prevent unauthorized access to your account and dramatically reduces your risk of sextortion. To use two-factor authentication, go to “settings,” then “two-factor authentication,” and enable the feature.

Report Suspicious Activity:

Lastly, if you receive any suspicious friend requests, chats, or snaps, be sure to report them immediately. Reporting such activity to Snapchat can help to curb sextortion and protect yourself and other users. To report suspicious activity, press and hold the user’s name on the chat screen, tap the three dots, and then “report” the user.

Responding to Sextortion Attempts on Snapchat: What to Do

Dealing with sextortion can be terrifying, but victims need to know that they have the power to fight back against their blackmailers. To help, we have compiled five helpful tips on responding to sextortion.

1. Never give in to the Blackmail: If you are the victim of sextortion, the blackmailer may threaten to release your images or videos if you don’t pay them a ransom. Never give in to the demands of the blackmailer. If you pay, it will only encourage them to return for more money.
2. Report the Blackmailer: First, you should report the blackmailer to Snapchat. Snapchat has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to cyber harassment, and they take it very seriously.
3. Inform the Police: In addition to reporting to Snapchat, it is always advisable to report the case to the police. The blackmailer may be trying to exploit you and be a predator who does this for a living. Reporting it to the police ensures that they investigate the matter and help put an end to it for good.
4. Be Open and Communicate with Your Loved Ones: It’s always essential to have a support system. Informing your loved ones can help you with the emotional support you need through this traumatic time.
5. Protect Your Privacy: As we mentioned, always be cautious of whom you share your pictures or videos with, and always be careful of any compromising pictures or videos you may take. This is not to say that you should avoid sending pictures or videos to family and friends, but rather be strategic about who sees them and ensure they are not explicit.

How To Stop Sextortion on Snapchat?

If you’re a victim of sextortion, remember that it’s not something to handle on your own. We urge you to seek help from authorities and cybercrime experts. Taking the burden solely upon yourself can lead to dangerous situations and perpetuate a cycle of abuse. As a company specializing in these cases, we strongly advise seeking professional help to end sextortion on Snapchat for good.

Conclusion

Cyber sextortion is more prevalent today than ever, making learning proper online safety crucial. We hope the tips provided above have helped show how to stop sextortion on Snapchat and deal with sextortion attempts. Remember, your safety is paramount, and if you receive any sextortion attempts, report them to law enforcement and the appropriate channels. Stay safe!