Start here

  • Stop contact. Do not pay or send anything else.
  • Ask someone you trust to help you use eSafety’s reporting guidance.
  • Write down account details. Do not download or forward intimate images of anyone under 18.

Get someone alongside you

A message may arrive with a demand, a countdown or a threat to contact your friends. It can feel like you have to answer before you have time to think. Put the conversation down for a moment. If you can, move near a trusted adult, friend or support worker. You can say “Someone online is threatening to share a private image. I need help reporting the account. I’m not ready to tell the whole story yet.” You do not have to show an image to make the problem real.

eSafety calls threats that demand money or something else in exchange for keeping an intimate image private sexual extortion, or sextortion. Its guidance is to stop contact and avoid sending payment or more content. If you have already replied or paid, you can still get help now. If there is immediate danger in Australia, call Triple Zero (000).

Record useful details without spreading the image

Open the official eSafety guidance with your support person. It explains how to handle evidence, report what happened and block contact. Information such as the platform, account name, profile link, date, payment demand or where something appeared can help identify the report. Do not download, forward or screenshot intimate images of anyone under 18. Ask eSafety what information it needs if the app bundles the threat and image together. Avoid sending content to a friend who offers to investigate.

If you cannot find an account link, write down the exact name and what you remember. An imperfect record is still worth asking for help with. A platform report may produce a confirmation number or message. Keep that somewhere private if you can, so you do not need to reopen distressing messages to remember what you submitted. Follow eSafety’s steps for making the right type of report.

Reduce contact and plan for a second message

After following the reporting and evidence guidance, use the platform’s blocking and privacy settings to limit further contact. Someone might try again using a different account or a new claim. Agree in advance with your support person what you will do if it happens. A simple plan could be “I won’t reply. I’ll show you the account name, check the reporting steps and close the app.” A plan saves you making the same decisions under pressure twice.

If money has already been sent, call your bank or payment provider using the number in its official app or on its website. Tell it what happened and ask what it can do. Avoid anyone who approaches you privately claiming they can recover money or remove all images for a fee. If there is a chance someone has access to your account or device, ask a trusted person or the platform for help with account recovery and privacy.

Ask for support after the report

You might worry about what to tell a teacher, coach or friend. You can keep it brief. For example: “Someone has threatened me online. Please don’t open, share or reply to anything they send. Tell me privately if they contact you.” It may be better to tell just one person first, especially if telling a group would expose you to more attention. Your support person can help you decide who actually needs to know.

The shock can linger after the immediate steps are finished. Think about who you can check in with later that day and the next day. If sleep, concentration or getting to school or work becomes difficult, a GP, youth service or school wellbeing worker can help you decide what support would fit. You can ask about confidentiality before sharing details. Responsibility for the threats belongs to the person making them.

Frequently asked questions

Should I pay someone who threatens to share an intimate image?

eSafety advises stopping contact and avoiding payments or sending more images. Ask a trusted person to sit with you while you follow eSafety’s reporting guidance. If you have already paid, contact your bank through its official app or website and ask what it can do.

What details can I write down for a report?

Note the account name, profile link, date and demand if you can do so safely. Do not download or forward intimate images of anyone under 18. If you are unsure what evidence to keep, follow eSafety’s instructions or ask for help with the report.

Sources & further reading

These independent resources provide further information. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of Youth Health.