Online Blackmail is a CEOP Education resource for children and young people aged 12 to 14 (KS3 or equivalent). The resource features a set of three lesson plans and 2 situational films which aim to help young people develop their understanding of two types of online blackmail:
- Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion (FMSE) where an offender manipulates and coerces a young person into sharing nude or semi-nude images and/or videos and threatens to release them publicly unless a financial demand is met
- Blackmail for further images (BFFI) where an offender grooms, manipulates and coerces a young person into sharing nude or semi-nude images and/or videos and then threaten to release them publicly unless they send more, and often increasingly extreme content
Online Blackmail is designed to be delivered through structured lessons by teachers in education settings. In schools, it should be embedded in a developmental Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum, as part of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).
Online Blackmail has been piloted with children, young people and education professionals and has been awarded the PSHE Association Quality Mark, demonstrating that it supports safe and effective teaching practice.
The three lessons build pupils knowledge and confidence to:
- Understand FMSE and BFFI, and the tactics offenders may use such as pressure and manipulation.
- How to respond safely to an online blackmail attempt
- Manage the feelings that may prevent someone from seeking help.
- Report blackmail, remove images and access support.
- Understand how someone’s attitudes and behaviours may affect peers that have had their images released.
The lessons contain:
- Comprehensive guidance for delivering lessons safely and effectively in education settings.
- Film scenarios to support learning and understanding.
- Alternative and extension activities to help teachers choose the best approach to use depending on the needs of their pupils.
- Signposting to age-appropriate support and reporting services.
- Links to relevant curricula across the four nations.