TikTok has made its way into becoming the hottest social media app since Instagram. The app allows you to post short-form user videos that consist of pranks, dancing, jokes, singing, and much more. With every social media platform comes the potential danger or even toxicity.
Sextortionists have snuck their way into a platform that was made for entertainment and instead created a nesting ground for sextortionists.
In light of the fact that most TikTok users’ range between teens and young adults, sextortionists have an easy path to entering these young adults’ lives by creating relatable accounts to reach out through. In this article, we will discuss what safety measures to take on TikTok to avoid becoming a sextortion victim.
WHY SEXTORTIONISTS ACT ON TIK-TOK?
You might be wondering why these cyber-criminals have set their eyes on TikTok. The social media app has driven thousands of users from all over the world, giving sextortionists an endless possibility of reeling in a copious number of victims. Out of the thousands of users who use the app, there is a large chunk of them that falls under the age of 30.
Age groups that range from teen – to young adults are typically deemed more sociable. They eager to engage when approached by an attractive person online, which is exactly what these criminals aim for. A sextortionist will create numerous accounts disguised as young adults who are seeking out friendships or something more.
Once their catfish account has been created, they go on an adding hundreds of different accounts. They hope that people will respond to them and engage in conversation.
Once they gained the attention of their potential victim, these criminals will say anything to get them comfortable enough to share explicit content. They ask enough questions to make it seem like they are truly interested in the victim. Then give them complements which can turn sexual.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE A VICTIM OF TikTok Sextortion?
Once a victim gives in and sends content, is when threats of exposure and demands of money come in hot and a victim can feel like there is nowhere else to turn.
TikTok Safety Measures Once threatened by a sextortionist, it’s important to make sure that you lock down all of your social media platforms including the account where the threats initiated, in this case TikTok. Here are three safety tips you can put into place to keep your account safer:
- Switch to Private Mode. Making sure your account isn’t public can limit the access your sextortionist has to your account
- Disable Suggesting your account to others. This can stop your account being suggested to anyone whom you may not know including sextortionists
- Change all Safety Settings to Only Me. Suspects will screenshot everything they can on your account so they can use it against you, especially your friends list. Once you change your settings to ‘only me’ the suspect will not be allowed to do the following
- See your friends list
- Duet you
- Stitch your video
- Comment on your videos
- Download your videos
- Mention or tag you in any videos
HOW TO REPORT TikTok SEXTORTION?
Taking these safety measures as soon as threats come your way, will help keep you safer from exposure. It’s also wise to alert your local authorities and document every interaction with said suspect for proof of being threatened if needed later down the road- especially since law enforcement might not always have enough time during their day when they’re busy catching criminals themselves!
We also recommend doing some research on online blackmail specialists who are experienced with these types of crimes and can help take over faster than your local authorities. TikTok sextortion is a serious crime that should be handled as soon as possible and by professionals. If you or someone you know is a victim of sextortion and needs help, give us call.
For more information, or to seek assistance with a situation of online blackmail, reach out to our sextortion helpline – we’re available 24/7 for your support. Now You Know What to Do If You’re Being Blackmailed Online.
We can help you with different types of blackmail or sextortion. Here you can report:
Facebook Blackmail (Facebook Sextortion)
Instagram Blackmail (Sextortion On Instagram)
Snapchat Blackmail (Snapchat Sextortion)
Its time to act now. Don’t hesitate. If you’re a victim this situation needs expert help
DON’T LET THE BLACKMAILERS WIN
We offer immediate, 24/7 assistance from our team of investigators.
