By Kerry Gallagher
A recent report from Thorn highlights an emerging and deeply concerning trend: sadistic online exploitation (SOE). The motivation for SOE differs from more familiar online harms like financial scams or sextortion:
- Financial scams = make money
- Sextortion = gain access to explicit images or payment
- Sadistic exploitation = cause harm. Offenders may try to frighten, humiliate, or control a young person, sometimes encouraging harmful or degrading behavior.
The Thorn report shows that these situations often escalate quickly. Instead of building trust over time, offenders may introduce shocking or extreme content early in an interaction. This can leave teens confused and unprepared to respond. In some cases, these behaviors are linked to online communities that normalize or even reward harm. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, reports of this type of behavior increased by more than 200% in a single year, with over 1,300 reports in 2024 alone.
Thorn also found that many SOE instances are driven by youth themselves and young people do not report these experiences. Fear, confusion, or uncertainty about what happened in an interaction with a peer can prevent them from seeking help. This makes proactive conversations at home especially important.
What can parents do?
- Explain the differences: Help your teen understand that not all online threats are about money or images. Some are about causing harm.
- Teach them to trust their instincts: If something feels disturbing or intense, they should leave immediately.
- Practice exit strategies: Blocking, reporting, and telling a trusted adult should be immediate steps. Have them run through what they would realistically do if it happened to themselves or to a friend.
- Plan your response too: Make it clear they will not be in trouble for coming to you. Promise to listen, support, and help.
For more information, warning signs, and resources, visit this short guide from the Online Child Exploitation Prevention Initiative.