(*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of this young man’s story)
By Floyd Godfrey, PhD
My name is Kyle, and my life was shattered when I got caught in a sextortion scheme. It started out like a lot of things online—harmless, even flattering. Someone messaged me on Instagram, said I was cute, started flirting. It felt exciting. At sixteen, I didn’t get that kind of attention often. One thing led to another, and I sent a picture. Then the nightmare began.
They threatened to send the photo to everyone I knew unless I paid them. They even showed me several of my friends and contacts to prove they had the connections. My heart sank. I felt sick. Panic took over. I begged them not to do it, but they laughed and demanded money. I was caught in a trap—ashamed, embarrassed, and terrified that everyone would find out.
For days, I didn’t eat. I didn’t sleep. I thought about ending my life. The fear of being exposed was overwhelming. I imagined my friends and other kids at school seeing that photo, my teachers, even my grandparents. I felt disgusting. I didn’t want to live through the humiliation. But something in me whispered: Tell someone.
Telling my parents was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I expected anger, but instead, they held me. They cried with me. They helped me report the incident to the police. I learned that sextortion is happening to thousands of teens, and it’s not my fault. With help, I began to rebuild.
My parents found Dr. Godfrey who was trained in these areas. It was embarrassing to tell him the details of what I’d done, but I was desperate. He gave me a safe space to talk about the shock, grief, and shame. It was a huge relief to have a place to share without fear of judgment or criticism. He helped me to realize, I didn’t just need privacy—I needed a team to help me rebuild and heal: my family, a counselor, and a few trusted friends. That team became my anchor.
I thought about changing schools. I couldn’t imagine walking down the halls again. But in the end, I chose a few months of homeschooling to get through the transition. I needed space from social pressure, from phones, from fear. Taking a break helped me re-center, and little by little, I found my way back.
Today, I feel peace. I’m not defined by what happened to me. I still use social media, but I’m smarter, more cautious. More importantly, I’ve reclaimed my dignity. I know now that my life isn’t over—it just needed a reset.
My advice to any teen caught in sextortion: don’t keep it a secret. Your life is not over. Talk to your parents or a trusted adult. Report it to the police. Get counseling to work through the shock and grief. You can heal. You can rebuild. And you’re not alone. With the right support, you’ll find your fresh start.
Floyd Godfrey, PhD is a Clinical Sexologist and a Certified Sex Addiction Specialist. He has been guiding clients since 2000 and currently speaks and provides consulting and mental health coaching across the globe. To learn more about Floyd Godfrey, PhD please visit his website: www.FloydGodfrey.com
