The Rise of Internet Luring and Sextortion: Protecting Children in the Digital Age

Recent investigations in Mesa County, Colorado, have brought the dangers of internet luring and sextortion into sharp focus. Law enforcement officials have arrested multiple individuals for crimes against children, highlighting a growing threat in the digital landscape. This article examines what internet luring is, why it’s becoming more prevalent, and how parents and children can protect themselves.

What is Internet Luring?

Internet luring is defined as a crime where an adult uses any digital platform – phones, computers, or other communication methods – to entice a child into a sexual situation. According to Mesa County’s Complex Crimes Sgt. Travis Christensen, this constitutes a crime in Colorado. For a charge to apply, the minor must be under the age of 15, and there must be at least a four-year age difference between the minor and the suspect. Internet luring is automatically classified as a class five felony, but can be elevated to a class four felony if prosecutors can prove the suspect intended to meet the minor for sexual acts.

The Increasing Prevalence of Online Crimes Against Children

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received 15,935 tips in Colorado alone in 2024. With the increasing prevalence of technology in children’s lives, experts anticipate this number will continue to rise in 2026. Recent arrests in Mesa County underscore this trend, with five individuals arrested this month for various crimes against children, four of whom face internet luring charges. A similar case in January involved the arrest of a 38-year-traditional man for internet luring.

Understanding Sextortion

Alongside internet luring, sextortion is likewise a growing concern. This involves perpetrators creating false online identities – often posing as peers – to build relationships with victims. They then manipulate the victim into sending nude photos or videos, which are subsequently used for blackmail, threatening to share the content with friends, family, or online. NCMEC reports at least 36 documented cases of teenage boys committing suicide since 2021 due to financial sextortion.

In 2025, a Colorado man received an 84-year prison sentence for blackmailing dozens of minors into producing sexually explicit material. The perpetrator posed as a teenager online to gain trust and threatened victims with the release of compromising content if they sought help from others.

Protecting Children: A Guide for Parents and Juveniles

Sgt. Christensen emphasizes the importance of parental awareness and involvement. Parents should understand how their children’s phones and devices function, including the apps they use, and regularly check their devices for suspicious activity.

For juveniles who discover themselves targeted by online predators, the most crucial step is to reach out to a trusted adult. If a trusted adult is unavailable, contacting law enforcement is vital.

What to Do If You Suspect Internet Crimes

If you suspect internet luring or any other form of online exploitation, contact your local law enforcement immediately. To reach a deputy with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, call 970-242-6707. You can also report tips online through NCMEC’s CyberTipline.