Catfished: Teen’s Story of Online Blackmail & What His Mom Did Next, episode 02

EP 02. A Christian mom’s teen son was catfished and blackmailed on Snapchat. She never thought it would happen to her family—until it did. In this episode, host Sarah Panus speaks with Danielle, a mom who courageously shares her son’s real-life experience of online sextortion. You'll hear how it happened, the exact steps Danielle took—including calling the FBI and local police—and what every parent should know to help prevent or respond to a similar situation. Part real talk, part hope, part action plan—this episode will empower you with knowledge, empathy, and next steps. Includes practical tips, a Bible verse grounding, and two trivia moments to test your awareness.

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📖 Bible Verse for This Episode:

Luke 8:17 (NIV):
"For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open."

This verse reminds us that even in dark, hidden moments, God's light brings truth into the open—and His presence can guide us through it.

🎧 Episode Summary:

Today’s episode covers a topic no parent wants to face—but one we must be prepared for: sextortion scams targeting teens online.

My guest, Danielle, bravely shares the story of how her teenage son was catfished on Snapchat by someone pretending to be a classmate. After building trust, the scammer blackmailed him by threatening to share private photos unless he sent money.

Danielle walks us through what happened, how her son found the courage to tell her, and the exact steps their family took—calling the FBI, contacting their local police, and using national child protection resources.

You’ll hear:

• What warning signs to watch for

• Practical actions you can take immediately if your child is targeted

• Why staying calm and connected makes all the difference

• Resources available to help families fight online exploitation

• Why prior conversations about online dangers helped her son open up faster

Through faith, practical advice, and open communication, Danielle’s story is a powerful reminder that while the threats are real, so is the hope.

✨ Show Highlights:

• [00:30] Opening with Bible verse grounding (Luke 8:17)

• [02:00] Danielle shares the emotional moment her son confessed something was wrong

• [05:00] How a trusted "friend" on Snapchat turned out to be a scammer

• [07:30] Immediate steps Danielle and her husband took (FBI, local police, and NCMEC)

• [12:00] Why quick action—and blocking the scammer—matters

• [15:00] Extra precautions: new phone case, reverse image searches, and facial recognition tips

• [17:00] Final encouragement: how prior open conversations made a life-saving difference

Tip Takeaways & Links for Parents:

• Links that helped Danielle:

  1. https://parents-together.org/what-to-do-when-your-child-shares-explicit-material-a-step-by-step-guide/

  2. https://report.cybertip.org/

• Start having calm, judgment-free conversations with your kids about online safety early and often.

• Know the immediate steps to take:

  • Block.

  • Screenshot evidence.

  • Report.

  • Call National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

  • File local police report.

  • Inform your child's school safety officer or guidance counselor.

  • Explore reverse search options to see if image is anywhere else online.

• Remember: Staying calm gives your child the confidence to come to you if something goes wrong.

• Faith and action together can turn a dark moment into a healing one.
  
  

Why KEEP KIDS SAFE Podcast Exists

I started this show because I heard so many Christian parents—myself included—say things like:

“It’s too overwhelming.”
“It’s too heartbreaking.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”

And you know what? I get it. I really do.
But here’s the truth: while we can’t solve everything individually, together we can absolutely make a difference.

My hope is that KEEP KIDS SAFE becomes a practical, hope-filled bridge between where you are today and where you want to be—a parent who’s more informed, less anxious, and ready to protect not just your kids, but kids everywhere.

Help Me Spread the Light

Together, we can be the light God calls us to be. If this episode encouraged you, I invite you to:

• Join my email list for updates about future episodes & related topics to help keep kids safe at: https://sarahpanus.myflodesk.com/keep-kids-safe 
  
  
• Please share it with a friend or business who cares about keeping kids safe.

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Your donation helps me create free, hope-filled content that equips Christian parents to protect their kids and shine God’s light into dark places.

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ABOUT THE HOST, SARAH PANUS

Sarah Panus is a Christian mom, the host of KEEP KIDS SAFE and Marketing With Empathy® (top 5% podcast globally), owner of content marketing consulting company Kindred Speak, and a passionate advocate for protecting children. She’s on a mission to equip Christian parents with hope-filled, practical ways to keep kids safe in today’s world. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, two kids and dog.  Learn more at www.kindredspeak.com.