How some online networks target and radicalize kids
Briefly

A mother noticed her son's decline in mental well-being at the age of 14 due to predatory online networks. These networks manipulate vulnerable minors, encouraging harmful behaviors. The FBI is currently investigating over 250 individuals related to these networks that promote self-harm and violence towards others, including animals. Some of these networks have been linked to larger issues such as terrorism and mass casualty events. Families are increasingly sharing their distressing stories of how these online influences have affected their loved ones.
Dana is the mother of a son who, at 14, faced a significant decline in mental well-being due to the influence of predatory online networks. These networks target vulnerable individuals, especially minors, conditioning them to engage in self-harm and violence against others. The FBI is currently investigating 250 individuals linked to these dangerous online communities, which have been implicated in mass casualty events and terrorism. The family shared their distressing experience with NPR's domestic extremism correspondent, highlighting the serious consequences of these networks.
The emergence of predatory online networks has alarmed many as they exploit the vulnerabilities of children, leading them to harmful behaviors. The alarming actions facilitated by these platforms include self-harm and violent impulses towards peers and animals. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are mobilizing to address this issue by identifying individuals connected to these networks, reflecting the growing concern for child safety in the digital age.
Read at www.npr.org
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