In recognition of Internet Safety Day on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is reminding families, teens, and caregivers that online exploitation can happen to anyone—and that help is always available.
As children and teens spend more time online through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps, law enforcement continues to see an increase in cases involving sexually motivated sextortion, financially motivated sextortion (FMS), and sadistic online exploitation (SOE). These crimes often involve offenders posing as peers, coercing victims into sharing images, and then using threats, shame, or fear to demand money, additional images, or harmful actions.
The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging families to review the Exploitation Awareness Card, a resource designed for parents and teens that explains common online threats, outlines warning signs, and provides clear steps for how to respond if something feels wrong. The card emphasizes that no child is responsible for being deceived, including when images are manipulated or created using artificial intelligence, and that victims deserve protection—not blame…