A global network of violent predators is targeting children on major online platforms, coercing them into committing horrific acts of abuse through blackmail. Authorities and tech companies struggle to control these groups, which use apps like Discord, Telegram, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Roblox. The predators, including boys and men as old as mid-40s, seek out vulnerable children with mental health issues, leading to high rates of suicide contemplation among victims. Law enforcement and platforms are working to combat this dark corner of the internet.
Study reveals widespread exposure of UK children to violent online content https://t.co/uirrzMLcdQ https://t.co/Oakbfaauli
A new report from Ofcom reveals how young children are exposed to violent online content often due to inaction from tech giants. Full story https://t.co/NIGZ8f76ML #Tech | #News | #OnlineSafety
Some 10 to 14-year-olds said they felt pressure to watch violent content and find it "funny" and feared being isolated if they didn't https://t.co/Fjps0T38TO
All 247 children who the watchdog spoke to said they had seen things such as adult-only video game content, fighting and verbal discrimination https://t.co/oaVkBFBajJ
Violent online content is now unavoidable for children in Britain, according to research from OFCOM. It found many youngsters were exposed to it while still in primary school. https://t.co/QKoL7Y1Bht
Kids first see 'unavoidable' violent content at primary school - watchdog https://t.co/WQd3yySMQA
Important coverage from the darkest corner of the internet where violent predators coordinate on social media platforms to target, groom and extort children to do horrific acts. Incredible digital work by law enforcement and platforms to stop this. https://t.co/3dqSZSciUv
INHOPE, the global network dedicated to combating online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), has released its annual report shedding light on the grim reality of the battle against CSAM. The figures are sobering. https://t.co/A3tBX6qUXg #Tech | #News
"Our investigation found evidence of predatory conduct across apps including Telegram & Discord, [as well as] activity on Instagram, SoundCloud & Roblox. The platforms are aware of these groups, but have yet to eradicate them." A *must read* from @WIRED https://t.co/mjeIkfGplt
Investigation: On popular online platforms, predatory groups coerce children into self-harm Vulnerable teens are blackmailed into degrading and violent acts by abusers who then boast about it, @ShawnBoburg @pranshuverma_ @chrisd9r in @washingtonpost. https://t.co/QwjRbCIGFb
The global distribution of filmed child sexual abuse, rape & image based sexual abuse is a life & death issue. The number of victims who contemplate suicide is extremely highβnearly 50%. Some attempt it and many are children. The owners of these sites have blood on their hands. https://t.co/QYrupOIYqx
".. The perpetrators β identified by authorities as boys and men as old as mid-40s β seek out children with mental health issues and blackmail them into hurting themselves on camera, the examination found." @washingtonpost https://t.co/tRwFR4btr7
This is why we need regulation and accountability: On popular online platforms, predatory groups coerce children into self-harm https://t.co/jV6rqKXAgv
How online group 764 uses Discord and Telegram to blackmail teens into degrading and violent acts and then boast about it; Discord removed 34K users in 2023 (Washington Post) https://t.co/brEc71wBBI π« Subscribe: https://t.co/OyWeKSRpIM https://t.co/bSEiwHdNpn
An analysis of 3M+ Discord and Telegram chats in 50+ groups finds a global network of thousands of violent predators, who target, groom, and extort kids online (@awinston / Wired) https://t.co/cXAc6d6uvP π« Subscribe: https://t.co/OyWeKSRpIM https://t.co/P0Bx8eLdKc
A global network of online groups has targeted thousands of children with a sadistic form of social media terror that authorities and technology companies have struggled to control, an examination finds. https://t.co/bfiPDAL0nP
A global network of violent predators is hiding in plain sight, targeting children on major platforms, grooming them, and extorting them to commit horrific acts of abuse. https://t.co/CmyLvrr98f
WARNING: This story contains descriptions of abuse, murder and suicide. Reader discretion is advised. A global network of predators is hiding in plain sight, targeting children on major platforms, and extorting them to commit horrific acts of abuse. https://t.co/Sl7ArX3nEz