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Amanda Todd was a 15-year-old Canadian teenager whose death on October 10, 2012, in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, brought international attention to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation and the devastating effects of prolonged harassment. In the weeks before her death, she shared a video titled My Story: Struggling, Bullying, Suicide, Self-Harm, using handwritten cards to describe the experiences she had endured.

ABC News

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Her story prompted widespread discussions about online safety, the protection of children from digital exploitation and the responsibilities of schools, families and technology platforms when young people experience harassment.

More than a decade later, Amanda’s legacy continues through advocacy work led by her mother, Carol Todd, and efforts to prevent online abuse and support victims of sextortion.

Personal Details

What Happened to Amanda Todd?

Amanda’s ordeal began when she was approximately 12 years old. According to accounts presented by her family and later discussed in legal proceedings, an individual she encountered online persuaded her to expose herself on a webcam. The individual saved an image and subsequently used it to threaten and blackmail her.

The image was circulated, and Amanda experienced continuing harassment online and in person. Changing schools did not bring an end to the abuse, as the individual continued to contact her and share the image.

Her experiences illustrated how online exploitation can follow a young person into their offline life, affecting friendships, education, family relationships and emotional well-being.

The Video That Brought Her Story to the World

On September 7, 2012, Amanda uploaded a video explaining her experiences through a series of handwritten messages. She described humiliation, bullying, emotional distress and previous struggles with self-harm.

The video gained widespread attention after her death. It became an important reference point in public discussions about the consequences of online harassment and the need for more effective protection for young people.

Amanda’s message also helped bring greater visibility to sextortion, a form of abuse in which someone uses intimate images or threats involving such images to coerce or intimidate another person.

Investigation and Criminal Proceedings

Following Amanda’s death, authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the harassment and exploitation she had described.

In 2022, Aydin Coban, a Dutch national, was convicted in Canada of offences connected to his harassment and exploitation of Amanda. He received a 13-year Canadian sentence. In January 2025, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands upheld a separate six-year sentence in proceedings involving offences against Amanda and other victims.

House of Commons of Canada

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These proceedings brought a measure of legal accountability for the abuse Amanda experienced and highlighted the difficulties of investigating online crimes that cross international borders.

Carol Todd’s Advocacy and Amanda’s Legacy

After losing her daughter, Carol Todd became an advocate for digital literacy, child protection and the prevention of online exploitation. Through the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, she has worked to educate young people, parents and educators about cyberbullying and sextortion.

Amanda’s story has also contributed to wider discussions about how schools and communities respond to harassment, how intimate images of minors are misused online, and how victims can access help without fear of further humiliation.

Her legacy is not limited to the circumstances of her death. It also includes the ongoing efforts of people working to ensure that other young people experiencing online abuse receive timely support and protection.

Remembering Amanda Todd

Amanda Todd’s death remains a deeply painful example of the consequences that online exploitation and persistent bullying can have on a young person’s life. Her experience underscores the importance of taking reports of harassment seriously, protecting children from sexual exploitation and making support available to those who feel isolated or threatened.

Anyone experiencing sextortion or online harassment should know that the abuse is not their fault. Preserving evidence, reporting threats to the appropriate authorities and seeking help from a trusted adult or support professional can be important steps toward safety.

Disclaimer

This article summarizes publicly reported information about Amanda Todd’s life, death and the criminal proceedings connected to her online exploitation. It is intended for informational and educational purposes, with a focus on awareness and prevention. It does not reproduce graphic details or suggest that one factor alone explains a person’s death.