The emerging threat of violent, exploitative digital ‘com networks’: what do we need to know?
Perpetrators gradually build trust with young people before pressuring them to harm pets, siblings, or themselves.
Many parents prioritize keeping their children safe online, but now face an emerging threat known as "com networks." These online groups primarily target vulnerable young people on platforms such as gaming and social media. Through threats, com networks convince young people to harm themselves or others, often driven by status, fascination with violence, or sexual gratification.
Com networks go by various names and promote different types of harm, making them challenging to define and detect. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett described the threat as "confronting," noting that children are harming siblings, killing pets, and injuring themselves due to blackmail from youth, teens, or adults who enjoy watching others suffer.
Detecting com networks can be difficult, as the initial interaction may appear normal. Perpetrators gradually build trust with young people, exposing them to increasingly extreme content and behaviors. They may encourage sharing or doing something humiliating, using it to pressure the individual into more harmful acts. These groups often target isolated young people, those struggling with mental health or body image, exploring identity, seeking friendship or acceptance online.
Warning signs of com network involvement include sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits, distancing from friend groups, receiving anonymous gifts, changes in behavior or appearance, unexplained injuries resembling "cut signs," and family pets being harmed. Other indicators include letters, symbols, or numbers written in blood, obsession with new online friends, unexplained injuries to siblings, and using encrypted communications for cruel actions like doxing or "swatting."
Prevention requires a holistic approach, combining efforts from tech providers, industry, law enforcement, schools, parents, and caregivers. Schools should promote digital literacy, reduce bullying and exclusion, provide support for bullying and harm, and monitor tech use in the classroom. Parents and caregivers should understand their children's online activities, communicate openly, and encourage trusted adults to be present.
Support services like Family and Child Connect, Kids Helpline, and the eSafety Commissioner's reporting page for online harm are available for assistance. If there is an immediate risk of harm, parents should contact emergency services.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
