WHEELING — Ohio County Schools will host two separate seminars — one for girls, and one for boys — to educate them about “sextortion” awareness and digital safety.

Both gatherings are set for 9 a.m. Wednesday at Wheeling Park High School.

Sextortion is defined as “the act of soliciting money from an individual by threatening to release private photos.” Sometimes the images are altered by artificial intelligencer.

The practice, which is a criminal act, has led to a direct increase in both suicidal ideation and suicide in young victims that often see no other options, according to Ohio County Schools administration.

It is often school athletes who are targeted online for sextortion. WPHS is offering the opportunity for both male and female athletes to learn about sextortion professionals who deal both with the preventative measures of educating young people, but also with the criminal aftermath.

Male athletes will hear from Bradley Mason of the West Virginia State Police. He currently works in the Crimes Against Children Unit. Katie Banal, community education coordinator at Harmony House, will address female athletes.

The presentations will address internet safety for high-school aged children including the definition of sextortion, warning signs of sextortion, refusal skills for responding to predators, how to report sextortion concerns, and current events, trends and statistics regarding sextortion.

“We are focusing on providing commonly targeted groups with specific skills and solutions in the event they experience these scenarios,” explains Dr. Nicole Shepherd, OCS Behavioral Specialist. “We want our students to know they are not alone, and have a pathway to help in the event they need it,” she adds.

Ohio County Schools will make similar sessions available on a larger scale to interested community members, parents, and students of all ages and schools.