The Albanese government will invest $450,000 to expand a national education program aimed at tackling online sexual extortion, as growing evidence highlights the increasing risks facing young Australians online.
The funding will support the expansion of SmackTalk, a community education initiative that helps young people, parents, and communities recognise the warning signs of online sexual extortion and respond before harm occurs.
Online sexual extortion remains a growing threat
Online sexual extortion involves offenders using blackmail, threats, or intimidation to pressure young people into sharing explicit images or sexual material.
The crime can have serious and lasting impacts on victims’ mental health, safety, and wellbeing.
Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology shows more than one in 10 adolescents has experienced sexual extortion during their lifetime. One in three victims has experienced the crime more than once, highlighting the persistent nature of the problem.
As online platforms become a larger part of young people’s daily lives, experts continue to stress the importance of education and early intervention to help prevent exploitation before it escalates.
SmackTalk expands Mac’s legacy
SmackTalk was founded in early 2024 by Wayne Holdsworth following the death of his 17-year-old son, Mac, who was targeted in an online sexual extortion scheme.
The initiative was established to help prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies through education and awareness.
The new funding will allow SmackTalk to train more parents, educators, facilitators, and community members while developing additional free learning resources and strengthening partnerships across Australia.
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Minister for Communications Anika Wells said the program was already making a difference.
“Teenagers who thought they had nowhere to turn have told us that SmackTalk training saved their lives,” Wells said.
“Online sexual extortion can have devastating effects—and no one knows that more than Wayne Holdsworth. The Albanese government is proud to support Wayne in expanding Mac’s legacy and preventing the immense pain and distress caused by online sexual extortion.”
Funding will extend education into more communities
Holdsworth said the additional funding would allow SmackTalk to expand into regional and rural communities, where access to specialised education programs is often more limited.
“The funding provided by the Australian government will save lives,” Holdsworth said.
“Sexual extortion is a scourge that is designed to target our most vulnerable—Australian youth. Mac was one of those targeted, and it subsequently had a significant negative impact on him. SmackTalk will now be able to expand its reach into regional and rural Australia, helping to mitigate the risk of sexual extortion through education.”
The funding fulfils an election commitment and is intended to strengthen national awareness while giving more families and communities access to practical tools and training.
Prevention remains the strongest defence
As online threats continue to evolve, education is becoming an increasingly important part of Australia’s response to online child safety.
Programs such as SmackTalk aim to equip young people, parents, and communities with the knowledge to recognise warning signs, seek help early, and reduce the risk of exploitation before it causes lasting harm.
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