The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently shared information about violent online groups largely composed of youth who seek to victimize other youth.
Groups like “The COM” are virtual networks of groups and individuals engaged in illicit activities that glorify child sexual abuse and exploitation materials, pedophilia, violence, cruelty, and gore.
The groups operate in widely accessible online spaces, often using gaming platforms as a gateway to build relationships with victims before moving contact to other platforms. These platforms include social media, apps, and online games such as:
• Roblox
• Steam
• Telegram
• Discord
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Twitch
Because many of the members of these groups are youth themselves, young people are more likely to trust them when they make contact online. The child or youth is encouraged to take part in acts that increasingly shame, incriminate, and isolate them, which can include recording or photographing themselves or others in sexually explicit poses, committing sexual acts, sexually exploiting others (including minors or siblings), harming or killing animals or family pets, self-harming, attempting suicide, or committing acts of violence. Children and youth have also been pressured to carve online names/handles of group members into their skin or write them on signs, sometimes in blood.
It is important for parents and caregivers to monitor their child’s online activity, have open conversations about online safety practices and maintain open communication about online dangers.
The Sarnia Police Service encourages all parents, caregivers, and individuals in a leadership role of children and youth (i.e. teachers, coaches, etc.) to visit the RCMP website at https://rcmp.ca/en/federal-policing/national-security/violent-online-groups-exploiting-children-and-youth to learn more about these groups and how they operate, warning signs, and how to prevent online victimization.
If you believe someone is being victimized online, or in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.
