Safety Alert for Parents and Guardians - Violent Online Networks Targeting Underage Populations

The Williamsport Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation would like to warn parents about the sharp increase in online networks promoting violence and harmful activities, particularly the "764" network. These violent actors utilize publicly available online platforms, such as social media sites, gaming platforms, and mobile apps commonly used by children between 10 and 17 years of age. Violent Online Networks typically target vulnerable children and persons with mental health issues, and use threats, blackmail, and manipulation to coerce or extort victims into producing, sharing, or live-streaming acts of self-harm, animal cruelty, sexually explicit acts, and/or suicide.

Family, friends, and teachers should consider the following potential indicators and warning signs:

• Sudden behavior changes such as becoming withdrawn, moody, or irritable.
• Sudden changes in appearance, especially neglect of appearance.
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits.
• Dropping out of activities and becoming more isolated and withdrawn.
• A new online "friend" or network prospective victims seem infatuated with and/or scared of.
• Receipt of anonymous gifts, such as items delivered to your home, currency, gaming currency, or other virtual items.
• Scars, often in patterns.
• Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, burns, or other wounds.
• Threatening to commit suicide and openly talking about death, not being wanted or needed, or not being around.
• Idealization of mass shooting or mass casualty events.
• Family pets or other animals being harmed or dying under suspicious circumstances.
• Family pets uncharacteristically avoid or are fearful of your child or you.
• Law enforcement being called to the home under false pretenses (known as swatted or doxxed) by an unknown person.

Parents and guardians should take immediate action to protect their children from these harmful influences.

 We urge parents to:

• Monitor your child's online activities and social media accounts closely.
• Have open and honest conversations with your child about the dangers of these online networks.
• Report any suspicious or concerning online behavior to the authorities immediately.
• Stay informed about the latest online trends and risks to ensure your child's safety.

Remember, as a parent or guardian, you play a vital role in keeping your child safe from these harmful online influences. 

For more information on how to protect children from risks both online and offline, refer to the information here: Parents, Caregivers, Teachers — FBI

[This information was reposted from an earlier update.]