Europol has issued a warning about the growing threats posed by online communities targeting teenagers. The agency raised concerns after detecting various online chats aimed at adolescent audiences, where violence, crime, and self-harm are normalized or even encouraged.
Experts from Europol highlight the rise of online groups that share extreme content, normalize violent and criminal behavior, and disregard established social norms.
Some of these groups may recruit members into hierarchical structures led by charismatic leaders skilled in manipulation. Such participation can lead to radicalization and the real-life imitation of harmful behaviors.
Another alarming trend involves online chats that prey on vulnerable teenagers, offering deceptive support for psychological struggles and building a false sense of trust. Manipulative tactics may lead victims to share intimate images, which are later used for blackmail. This escalation can result in self-harm and violent actions.
Europol emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance, especially if a child spends excessive time online while being secretive about their activities, appears anxious or upset, exhibits unusual behavior or speech patterns, uses coded language, or has started self-harming.
