A troubling rise in online platforms targeting children and youth should prompt parents and other caregivers to step up efforts aimed at protecting those vulnerable young people.
That’s the message sent out by RCMP officials this month – a message that should be taken to heart by everyone without delay.
“Violent online groups are targeting and manipulating vulnerable children and youth across widely accessible online platforms to participate in acts of violence, inching but not limited to, self-harm, torturing and killing animals, and production child exploitation material,” RCMP said in a bulletin.
Specifically, the police are asking parents and caregivers to be aware of the so-called The Com online network, a virtual community of groups and individuals who conduct illicit activities that glorify serious violence, cruelty and gore.
“Elements of The Com network are known to have extreme ideological views and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.”
The group has been targeting vulnerable children and youth between the ages of eight and 17. It is known to operate virtually through accessible online spaces including social media platforms and online games such as Discord, Telegram, Roblox, Minecraft, Twitch and Steam, say officials.
Tactics being used by the group include threats to publicly share or post explicit or violent content with the victim’s family and friends, and threatening the security and well-being of the victim and family members.
With the internet now an indispensable part of everyday life, the need to ensure that young people are not victimized has never been greater.
Unfortunately, groups bent on exploiting vulnerable young people have also become more pervasive and sophisticated over time.
“Parents, guardians and other adults should remain mindful there are indicators that a child or youth is being targeted. When considering whether or not to report any suspicions to police, remember: your report could be the missing piece that prevents life altering consequences to a child or youth.”
If you suspect a child or youth is being targeted, call 911.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
