05/27/2026
This young man was from Marquette, MI. After losing their 17-year-old son, Jordan, to a sextortion scam, the DeMay family is on a mission to prevent other families from experiencing the same unimaginable pain. Jordan was a bright, outgoing athlete with his whole future ahead of him. In just six hours after receiving a message on Instagram, his life was tragically taken due to a sextortion scam. And the crisis is growing.
Predators often target teens on social media, sending fake friend requests or posing as someone the teen knows. Once trust is gained, they manipulate kids into sharing private images or videos (or even use AI/nudity apps to coerce kids) and then demand money or more content to avoid exposure. This leaves young victims feeling trapped, ashamed, and hopeless.
⚠️John DeMay’s warning to parents: This can happen to ANY child. No teen is completely safe online.
Start conversations with your kids now. While you can’t eliminate all risks, staying informed, talking openly, and taking proactive steps can help your child recognize and avoid these scams, and stay safer online.
**See link in comments to get the DeMay family’s full story + our top tips for teaching kids how to protect themselves.
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