Should the tone be more or informative/cautionary ?

Not to a boyfriend, girlfriend, or anyone. Once an image exists, you lose control over it. If someone threatens to share an image, do not pay them. Paying never stops the blackmail. Instead, screenshot everything, block them, and report to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Preventing exploitation requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, awareness, and support systems. Here are several steps that can be taken:

with someone you met online. Never pay money to get a job. Legitimate employers never ask for “training fees.”

Banks aggressively market credit cards to college-bound seniors. Without understanding interest rates, minimum payments, or penalty fees, many accumulate debt they cannot repay. Some parents or older partners pressure teens to add them as authorized users or cosign loans, then default — ruining the teen’s credit before they’ve even started adulthood.

: It's critical to address the topic of exploitation with sensitivity. Providing information on how to recognize exploitation, where to seek help, and resources for support can be vital.

An 18-year-old who commits a crime — even a minor one like shoplifting or trespassing — is processed as an adult. They can receive adult sentences, adult jail time, and a permanent criminal record that affects housing, employment, and student aid. Exploiters know this: they may use an 18-year-old as a “fall guy” in a theft or fraud scheme, knowing the teen will face harsher penalties than a minor would.

Teens are particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to their stage of development. At 18, many students are transitioning into adulthood, facing increased independence, and possibly experiencing their first serious relationships. This period is marked by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes, making it a critical time for intervention and support.

Several factors contribute to the vulnerability of 18-year-old high school students to exploitation: