The alarm's being raised on sextortion, and ways young people can get help.

A Coroner's found an 18-year-old took his life hours after sharing intimate images with someone pretending to be a young Timaru woman.

The scammer - who was later traced to Africa - demanded $5000 and threatened to share their conversation.

Netsafe's Chief Online Safety Officer Sean Lyons says young people should ask parents or others for support.

He says the last thing they should do is hide it.

"Because it is that shame, it is that horror that's on many young people - and specifically, the young and their vulnerability."

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