A BBC investigation tracks the rise of sextortion, a growing online crime where victims, often teenagers, are blackmailed into sending intimate photos or videos. The investigation followed the digital footprint of a scammer who targeted US teenager Evan Boettler, leading to Lagos, Nigeria, where organized “Hustle Kingdoms” of scammers operate. These operations involve young men using social media to extort money from victims, sometimes incorporating traditional rituals and even deepfake technology to increase their success. Despite efforts from social media platforms like Meta, which claim to combat sextortion, critics argue these measures are insufficient, while reports of such crimes continue to rise.
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In a shocking incident, two intoxicated teenagers have been ordered to pay $309,000 to two catering companies after they urinated in a pot of soup at a Haidilao restaurant in Shanghai. The court determined the teenagers’ actions, which were documented and shared online, violated the companies’ property rights and damaged their reputation, noting the contamination of tableware and public discomfort. Their parents, deemed to have failed in their duty of guardianship, were ordered to pay the compensation, covering operational and reputational damages, cleaning expenses, and legal costs. Though the restaurant offered additional compensation to its customers, the court ruled that the teenagers were not liable for this voluntary business decision.
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French authorities have arrested two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks against synagogues and the Eiffel Tower, with the youths reportedly sympathizing with ISIS. The individuals, raised in “Arab-Muslim families,” had been exchanging violent content and discussing attacks, having searched for weapons online. They appeared in court on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. This incident reflects a worrying rise in terrorism charges against minors in France, prompting the creation of a special department within the National Terrorism Prosecution Office.
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Ukraine is confronting internal threats as a rising number of teenagers are being recruited online by Russia for sabotage operations. These teens are being enticed to carry out acts of destruction within Ukraine’s borders. The article highlights this concerning trend by sharing the chilling account of one such teenager. This reveals the evolving tactics Russia is employing in its conflict with Ukraine.
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In Washington, D.C., teenagers express feelings of unsafety stemming from the federal police takeover. Young residents, like a college freshman, reported feeling nervous and intimidated by the increased presence of federal officers. Despite the city’s prior increase in crime rates, including youth crime, teens shared that the federal government’s actions, described by officials as a hostile takeover, made them more concerned. Youth voices and youth advocates explained that the federal response is punishing the entire youth population for the actions of a small group, and that the focus should be on the underlying issues contributing to the problem.
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Tennessee recently enacted a law targeting bullying by suspending the driver’s licenses of minors convicted of bullying or cyberbullying for up to a year. This legislation, designed to address the long-term harm caused by bullying, allows for restricted licenses for essential destinations like school or work, but requires judicial approval. While lauded as a step towards addressing the issue, some experts emphasize the importance of also addressing the root causes of bullying by working with the offenders. The law builds on previous efforts to combat bullying in Tennessee, including updated definitions of the behavior.
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Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis urges teenagers to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing its transformative role akin to the internet’s impact on millennials. He advises developing strong STEM skills, particularly coding, coupled with crucial “meta-skills” like adaptability and creativity to thrive in the AI-driven future. Hassabis highlights the importance of understanding AI’s functionality and proactively exploring its applications, advocating for a “learn-to-learn” approach to navigate the rapidly changing technological landscape. This proactive engagement, he argues, will be key to success in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines.
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John Q. Hosedrinker