FBI Warns Parents About Violent 764 Online Network Targeting Kids Through Gaming and Social Media

The FBI is warning parents and caregivers about a growing threat from violent online networks that are actively targeting children and teenagers through gaming platforms, social media, and other online communities. Known collectively as the “764” network, these groups use platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Discord, and Instagram to identify vulnerable young people, build trust with them over time, and then leverage threats and compromising material to control them.

According to federal investigators, predators in these networks often pose as friends or create fake romantic relationships with victims. Once trust is established, they pressure children into sharing explicit images or videos. That material is then used as leverage to coerce victims into increasingly harmful behavior — including self-harm, violence toward others, or cruelty to animals.

The FBI advises parents to watch for warning signs: withdrawal from family, changes in sleep or eating habits, unexplained injuries, sudden gifts or packages, and signs of animal cruelty. Experts recommend monitoring children’s online activity, using parental controls, and maintaining open conversations about the risks of communicating with strangers online.

Children need to hear clearly that they will not be in trouble for reporting threats or asking for help. The FBI urges anyone who suspects a child may be a victim of online exploitation to preserve messages, usernames, and other evidence, and report the activity to law enforcement or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Read the full article: FBI Warns of Violent Online Networks Targeting Children and Teens — NBC Palm Springs

If you suspect a child is being targeted by an online predator, don’t wait. Report it through our secure form or contact local law enforcement immediately. You can also install the Report a Pedophile browser plugin to help document and flag dangerous content you encounter online.