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The agency\u2019s National Strategic Assessment for 2024 said that while adults were involved in these communities or networks, it was especially concerned about teenage boys often sharing sadistic and misogynistic material and targeting girls as young as 11.<\/p>\n
Described as \u201cCom\u201d networks, the forums have become vehicles for sharing images of extreme violence, gore and child sexual abuse. They are also used to apply \u201cextreme coercion\u201d to manipulate young people into harming or abusing themselves, their siblings or pets, the agency said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMembers of \u2018Com\u2019 networks are usually young men who are motivated by status, power, control, misogyny, sexual gratification, or an obsession with extreme or violent material,\u201d said the report, which added that the emergence of these types of online groups \u201care almost certainly causing some individuals, especially younger people, to develop a dangerous propensity for extreme violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
It added that the networks typically attract young males promoting nihilistic views, who \u201cattempt to gain status with other users by committing or encouraging harmful acts across a broad spectrum of offending.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Users in Britain and other western countries \u201chad exchanged millions of messages online relating to sexual and physical abuse,\u201d it noted.<\/p>\n
The crime agency gave the example of Cameron Finnigan, a British teenager who was sentenced to jail in January after being part of an online Satanist group that blackmails other children into filming or livestreaming self-harm, violence and sexual abuse. Mr. Finnigan, 19, used the Telegram app to encourage contacts to commit murder and suicide.<\/p>\n
In his statement, Mr. Biggar said that police were collaborating with technology companies and psychologists to better understand the behavior of young people but added that he encouraged parents \u201cto have regular conversations with their child about what they do online.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jess Phillips, a government minister who has responsibility for tackling violence against women and girls, described the scale of abuse outlined in the report as \u201cabsolutely horrific,\u201d and also urged open conversations within families.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy message to tech companies is simple: This is your responsibility, too,\u201d she added. \u201cYou must ensure your platforms are safe for children, so that we can protect the most vulnerable and put predators behind bars.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n