Gardaí are encouraging parents to become more involved in their children’s online life, after receiving a report that a Clare teenager was a victim of image-based abuse.
The 16-year-old, who believed he was speaking to a woman through social media, sent an explicit picture of himself to the person.
Shortly afterwards, a demand was made for a substantial sum of money under threat of sharing the pictures, and while no money was handed over, a link was shared with some of the teen’s friends.
Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks says the link could not be opened but nonetheless, it was a very upsetting and traumatic experience for both the teenager and his parent.
She has this advice for parents.