In an era dominated by smartphones, social media, and anonymous messaging apps, our children face threats no generation has encountered before. One of the most sinister is sextortion—a growing epidemic targeting boys between the ages of 10 and 18.
Behind the screens, predators lurk in gaming apps, private chat rooms, and anonymous video platforms. They exploit young minds, manipulate emotions, and blackmail children into silence—sometimes with devastating consequences.
But one company, one mission, and one breakthrough technology could finally turn the tide.
A Family’s Tragedy and a Global Wake-Up Call
James Timothy Woods was a beloved high school senior—tall, athletic, kind, and passionate about anime and chess. But after falling victim to online sextortion, James took his own life.
His heartbroken parents are now speaking out with a desperate warning: predators want your child’s attention and their money. And they don’t care whether your child survives the trauma or not.
James’s story is tragically not unique. In the UK alone, five children every week take their lives due to online harm. This isn’t a distant problem. It’s happening in our communities, right now.
The Hidden Reality of Sextortion
Most parents believe that dangerous content lives on shady websites. In truth, it’s being delivered directly into children’s hands through encrypted messaging apps, anonymous chats, and even video games. And there are no built-in protections.
Smartphones and tablets are essentially wide-open portals for manipulation and abuse. There are no safeguards, no alerts, and no real parental oversight—just endless opportunity for predators to target vulnerable children.
It’s not just about what kids are seeing. It’s about what they’re being asked to send, record, and share.
The Solution: Meet Harmblock by SafetyNet
Richard, the founder of SafetyNet, has sat with 32 families who have lost their children to sextortion. Those conversations are what drive him to work on the only thing that truly matters to him—building solutions to prevent these tragedies from ever happening again.
His company has developed a breakthrough software called Harmblock—a system-level technology that uses AI to recognize and block harmful content before it ever reaches or leaves a child’s device.
The software prevents kids from viewing explicit content, no matter what app they’re using. It also recognizes when a child turns their camera on themselves and intervenes—blocking the recording if it detects inappropriate behavior. It’s not an app or browser filter. It’s embedded deep into the phone’s operating system, which means children can’t disable or delete it.
Richard explained that if this software had been on the devices of the children whose stories he’s heard, every single one of them would have been protected. In his words, “It would have saved every one of them.”
Harmblock doesn’t require a long setup or a list of confusing questions. It simply works—from the moment the phone turns on.
A Critical Moment: Why Funding Matters Now
SafetyNet is not just a tech company. It’s a purpose-driven mission with a clear goal: safeguard children before it’s too late. Their Harmblock software is already being adopted by Vodafone, one of the world’s largest telecom providers, with a public launch scheduled for August 6.
But to reach more children, they need support—financial and strategic.
Right now, SafetyNet is raising $5 million. That funding would allow them to reach 1 million more children in the next 12 months—children who may otherwise fall victim to the same harms that have already claimed too many lives.
Richard made it clear: he isn’t interested in chasing a 10X return. What matters to him is what he calls KidX—how many children they can protect, this year, next year, and beyond.
How You Can Make a Difference
Whether you’re a parent, investor, business leader, or simply someone who cares, there’s something you can do:
- Donate to support Harmblock’s rollout
- Connect SafetyNet with decision-makers who can help expand the reach
- Share this message with every parent you know
A Final Word: Turning Tragedy Into Purpose
The children who’ve already suffered can’t be brought back. But their pain can fuel real protection for millions of others. Richard and his team aren’t just talking about change—they’re building it. They’re ready to move fast, to scale up, and to stop the next tragedy before it begins. You can be a part of that. You can stand on the side of protection, prevention, and purpose. Let’s end sextortion before it claims another child. Let’s make this the moment we turned pain into protection—and technology into a force for good.
