Facing the Shadows of Sextortion: A Youth Perspective on India's First Public Survey

Our digital lives are extensions of our actual identities in the hyperconnected world of today. Although the internet has created a wealth of opportunities for development,

education, and communication, it has also given rise to more recent and pernicious problems, such as sextortion.

Social Media Matters has released a compelling and enlightening research titled "Sextortion in India – The First Public Survey." It's the first public effort to track the actual effects of this crime on Indian citizens, particularly young users like me and many others in my social circle. Since I spend a lot of time online, the study did more than simply educate me; it moved me.

What the Report reveals

• We underestimate the prevalence of sextortion. Many people have either gone through it themselves or know someone who has.
• Victims frequently endure silent suffering. Many people choose not to disclose the crime out of fear of shame and a lack of assistance.
• There is serious psychological and emotional harm. In addition to fear and guilt, victims may experience chronic trauma.
• A systematic and legal gap exists. Platforms and law enforcement are still realising how serious the problem is.

Suraksha AI, a chatbot designed to assist victims by providing counselling, legal information, and step-by-step assistance, is one of the report's most promising projects. In an area that has been mostly ignored, it is a beacon of hope.

How it resonates with me as a Young Internet User

This report's numbers and anecdotes seemed painfully familiar. I use the internet for classes, entertainment, socialising, and even activism on a daily basis. However, like many others, I have witnessed firsthand how easily private information can be abused and how a moment of trust can be transformed into a source of embarrassment.

I was really struck by how alone victims feel. There is a very genuine fear of being criticised, humiliated, or not taken seriously by friends or even by authorities. We frequently advise individuals to "speak up," but this research makes it apparent that this is difficult to do without a structure in place to help them.

Recommendations

The study offers workable remedies in addition to diagnosing the issue. My thoughts on them are as follows:

• Enhancing legal clarity: I wholeheartedly concur. Cyber laws should particularly address sextortion to avoid leaving victims to rely on antiquated or ambiguous rules.
• Accountability of IT platforms is vital. Businesses must move more quickly to remove dangerous information and offer people in crisis real-time assistance.
• Campaigns to raise awareness: These need to be more than just posts on social media. In schools, colleges, and universities, curriculum-based sensitisation is required.
• Suraksha AI and similar tools are a fantastic starting point. It should be extensively pushed, in my opinion, and combined with professional human support, particularly for emotional and legal assistance.
• The active participation of educational institutions is what I would add if I could. Most internet users first encounter social media in school or college, which is where discussions on sextortion need to begin in a safe and accepting environment.

The First Public Survey on Sextortion in India is more than simply a report. It serves as a mirror, reflecting both the risks associated with the digital world and our general lack of discussion about it. As a young person, I'm both troubled and emboldened by the prevalence of this crime and encouraged that we're now having this conversation. Let's not turn a blind eye. Let's read, think, discuss, and act, because knowing is the first step towards change, and sextortion flourishes in secret.