10/01/2026
📞 💻 ‼️Young People Being Targeted in AI scam‼️
Like many clubs we have been made aware of a scam targeting young people where disturbing and inappropriate AI videos are being generated and used to blackmail young people for money. Please take the time to read the below information and have a conversation with your child around this topic.
In the instance reported coming out of Armagh today the actions of the child have been lauded. These types of scams destroy lives, let’s arm our kids with the knowledge to not let these bullies win.
Advice to protect young people:
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲
1. It’s not your fault
Being targeted, bullied or harassed online is never your fault, no matter what someone says.
2. Don’t reply or react
Responding can make it worse. Bullies often want attention or a reaction.
3. Save the evidence
Take screenshots of messages, comments, usernames, dates and times. Don’t delete them.
4. Block and report
Use the platform’s block and report tools straight away.
5. Tell a trusted adult
This could be a parent, guardian, teacher, coach, or youth worker. You don’t have to deal with it alone.
6. Protect your privacy
• 𝑺𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆
• 𝑫𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔
• 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘
7. Look after your wellbeing
Take breaks from social media if needed. Talk about how you’re feeling, it really helps.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀
1. Stay calm and listen
Your child needs reassurance, not panic. Thank them for telling you.
2. Collect evidence
Screenshots are crucial, especially if schools, clubs, or the police need to be involved.
3. Report on the platform
Most platforms take harassment of minors seriously.
4. 𝑨𝒅𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓
This keeps your child involved and empowered, rather than feeling punished.
5. Inform the school or club
If the child knows the person offline, schools and organisations can often intervene.
6. Know when to escalate
Contact police if there are:
• Threats of violence
• Sexual content involving a minor
• Blackmail or coercion
• Hate crime or stalking
