TOLEDO, Ohio — EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
It's no secret that social media isn't good for kids' and teens' mental health, and FBI officials say the amount of young people logging on has been increasing over the years.
It's not just their children's well-being that parents should be concerned about, though, but also adults trying to take advantage of them.
James Woods was 17 years old, a track star and the light of his parents' lives.
"He loved having fun, movies, he loved making jokes, parties, he loved dancing," said James' father, Tim Woods.
"James was amazing. He really was an angel on earth," said James' mother, Tamia Woods.
But in 2022, Tim and Tamia Woods' lives changed forever after James, their only child, killed himself.
"He met a young woman online, somehow they ended up sharing images of themselves through video and she used those video images to blackmail him," Tim said.
James was a victim of sextortion, a crime where someone is convinced to share personal or nude images and videos of themselves online that are then used for blackmail.
For the Woods family, it cost them their son.
"He really just didn't know his way out. He received 200 messages over 19-and-a-half hours from what we believe to be four different people and his last words were that they had him in an unavoidable loop he couldn't get out of," Tamia said.
According to the FBI's Toledo office, officials received more than 10,000 reports of online attacks in 2023, ranging from bullying and harassment to death threats and sextortion.
Before his death, James never told his parents about his situation and his parents say he was acting normal.
"Every child is different, but some signs could be mood swings, that's usually an indicator that something is wrong," Tim said.
After James' death, his parents were inspired to learn and share the importance of online safety and knowing when to get help.
"The best way is to speak up. If something happens to you, no matter what it is, no matter how big or small, always say something to someone," Tim said.
FBI officials recommend following the three Rs:
- resist interacting with people you don't know on the internet
- retain their messages
- report them
Tamia there's a lot to learn when it comes to dangers on the internet, but a lot to lose if you don't.
"We don't understand a lot of the time the differences that the kids are going through when we were growing up than what they are going through now," Tamia said.
Since James' death two years ago, his parents have started the Do It For James Foundation. They visit schools in different states to educate kids and parents on internet safety.
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The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for anyone in distress and resources for anyone who may need help. By dialing 988, you can be connected with a local crisis center 24/7 for help. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.
The Lucas County Emotional Support Line is available at 419-442-0580 from 8 a.m. to midnight and offers peer support.
If you want to talk to someone and are not in immediate danger, Text "HOME" to 741741 to be connected to the Crisis Text Line and a trained counselor. There is no charge and the information will not show up on your phone bill. You can also chat online at www.crisistextline.org.
If you are a young member of the LGBTQ+ community and need help in any way, call the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386. Calls made to the Trevor Project are free and kept confidential.
Emergency Mental Health Support
The Lucas County Crisis CARE Line is available at 419-904-2273 to connect with a local, trained crisis counselor to discuss a mental health emergency 24/7.
The Wood County Crisis Line offers immediate assistance by calling 419-502-4673.
If a situation involves immediate danger to you or a loved one, NAMI Greater Toledo says calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to tell 911 that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention.