The Briefing Pt 2: Matt Acton on what it’s like to have your child targeted by an online predator
Feb 9, 2026
Matt Acton, Brisbane radio presenter and dad, recounts his son being targeted by an online sextortion scam. He describes how he found the messages, the red flags that revealed danger, and the regret over his initial reaction. He discusses parental controls, teaching tech literacy, reporting choices, and expectations for tech companies' responsibility.
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Parent Catches Sextortion Attempt Early
- Matt Acton discovered his 14–15-year-old son was messaging a stranger on Instagram and found the conversation turned flirtatious then requested specific nude photos.
- They caught it before any photos were sent and flagged the request for full-face, posed images as especially sinister.
Don't Punish The Targeted Child
- React calmly and avoid punishing the child harshly when you discover they've been targeted online.
- Matt Acton regrets taking his son's phone and cutting him off from teammates and recommends restraint instead.
Awareness And Tools Have Improved
- The sextortion threat has grown and parents now have more awareness and tools than a decade ago.
- Matt Acton notes better controls and more public cases mean parents can act differently today.