Protecting American Children Online – United States Department of State

In support of the President’s Executive Order on Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes against American Citizens, the United States will table a resolution at the 35th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, June 1–5, 2026.  The U.S. resolution will urge greater international action to prevent and combat the transnational sextortion of children.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and transnational sextortion is the fastest-growing crime against American children, with tens of thousands of new cases each year.  Predators operating abroad target children in the United States through social media or gaming platforms using fake accounts, posing as peers or romantic interests. After establishing trust, they coerce victims into sharing explicit images and then demand immediate payment—typically through gift cards, mobile payment services, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—while threatening to publicly release the photos or digitally altered “deepfakes.”  Since 2021, more than 40 children in the United States have tragically died by suicide as a result of these predatory schemes, according to public reports.    

If adopted, the U.S. resolution would elevate the fight against this despicable crime as a global law enforcement priority, driving stronger international cooperation and deeper engagement with the private sector to disrupt these networks and protect our children.

The United States is a global leader in protecting children online.  President Trump signed the TAKE IT DOWN Act in 2025, which was championed by First Lady Melania Trump, to criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate images, and Mrs. Trump is also leading “Fostering the Future Together,” a global coalition of more than 45 First Spouses committed to helping children learn, grow, and thrive through the safe and innovative use of advanced technology. 

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