The National Crime Agency of the U.K. reports a sixfold increase in incidents involving online gangs that exploit teens, emphasizing the alarming trend of young boys targeting vulnerable girls.
U.K. National Crime Agency Sounds Alarm Over Online Gangs Targeting Teens
U.K. National Crime Agency Sounds Alarm Over Online Gangs Targeting Teens
Disturbing rise in online recruitment of teenagers for sadistic and misogynistic groups prompts urgent warnings from British authorities.
In a stark warning about the dangers lurking in the online world, the U.K.’s National Crime Agency has identified a critical threat to the safety of teenagers from organized online groups. These groups, which promote sadistic and misogynistic content, have been found to recruit young people, leading to a surge in horrific behaviors among adolescents. The agency, responsible for tackling serious crimes, reported a staggering rise in incidents related to these online threats, noting a sixfold increase from 2022 to 2024.
Graeme Biggar, the director general of the National Crime Agency, expressed his concerns about the pervasive nature of these groups, stating, “They are not hidden in dark corners of the internet; they are prevalent on the platforms young people access every day.” Young women, in particular, have been reported as targets for grooming, coerced into self-harm, and in severe cases, encouraged to contemplate suicide.
The agency’s National Strategic Assessment for 2024 underscores a troubling trend: adult involvement is evident, but the most alarming aspect is the role of teenage boys who often disseminate and uphold sadistic culture while preying on girls as young as 11. This assessment points to a growing concern that the influence of online violence could have long-lasting effects on the mental and emotional well-being of youth across the country.
