S2E14| Cyberbullying, Sextortion & Self-Harm: Protecting Kids in 2026

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni are joined by licensed mental health therapist Sheena Beach for a serious and important conversation about teen sextortion, cyberbullying, self-harm, and digital shame.Inspired by a New York Post article reporting on teen suicides connected to sextortion scams, the conversation explores how online coercion can quickly become a mental health crisis for adolescents. Sheena explains what self-harm can look like, why it is not always the same as suicidal intent, and how parents can respond with calm, connection, and choice instead of shame.We also discuss the tech side of the problem: fake accounts, disappearing messages, AI, anonymous profiles, parental monitoring tools, and the difficult balance between protecting kids and maintaining trust.This episode includes discussion of self-harm, suicide, sextortion, and child exploitation. Please take care while listening.Show Notes / ResourcesArticle discussed:Sextortion and teen suicide connection:https://nypost.com/2025/12/10/us-news/38-us-teens-died-by-suicide-in-five-years-from-sextortion-scams/Cyberbullying and sexting laws by state:https://cyberbullying.org/sexting-lawsHealthcare-based guidance on self-harm:https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/when-children-and-teens-self-harm.aspxSelf-harm and suicide information:https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/self-harm/self-harm-statistics/https://afsp.org/Cyberbullying and sextortion resources:https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-ithttps://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2023/PSA230912https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/sextortion/financially-motivated-sextortionBooks for children and teens:My Body is Private by Linda Gerardhttps://a.co/d/014SLl9sDo You Have a Secret? by Jennifer Moore-Mallinoshttps://a.co/d/0ex9FHg5Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect by Jayneen Sandershttps://a.co/d/0eoHS1scThe Internet Is Not Your Friend: Online Safety for Teens by Kyan Montaguehttps://a.co/d/09TNaHxxParental safety and monitoring tools mentioned:Bark Technology: https://www.bark.us/Qustodio: https://www.qustodio.com/en/Aura Parent: https://www.aura.com/parentsFamily Keeper: https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/parental-control?fk_redirect=1Guest:Sheena Beach, licensed mental health therapist and founder of Canopy Counseling. Licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, with telehealth availability in Florida. Connect with Sheena www.sheenabeach.comIf you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.