How Harmful Online Groups Work and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Children

Some corners of the internet look like ordinary chat groups, fandoms, or gaming clans, but inside they run on in-jokes, secrecy, dares, and pressure. Over time, they normalize cruelty, hate, sexual exploitation, or self-harm and work to recruit new members, including children.

Most of these groups start on mainstream platforms-short-video apps, gaming chats, and group DMs—then push kids into private or encrypted spaces with less oversight. The vibe is “edgy” and exclusive: we get it; adults don’t. To belong, kids are asked to “prove” themselves. The tests begin small and slowly escalate into more extreme or humiliating tasks.

This guide shows how harmful online groups operate, why some kids are more at risk, the red flags to watch for, and what to do if something goes wrong. It’s better to understand these tactics now, even if your child never encounters them, than to find out when it’s too late.

How these groups work

1. The friendly approach.
   A “peer” appears—same game, same memes, lots of flattery. They mirror your child’s interests and slang so the attention feels safe and familiar, which lowers defenses quickly.
2. The special invite.
   “Join our server/party/club,” sometimes with a gift, game currency, or “exclusive” content. The promise of status or rewards creates a sense of owing something back, making boundary-pushing feel like part of belonging.
3. The shift to private.
   “Let’s move to another app where no one can see.” Going off-platform removes community oversight and lands the chat in spaces with weaker moderation or disappearing messages.
4. The tests.
   “Prove you belong.” Dares escalate, and secrecy becomes a condition of friendship. Each small “yes” resets the baseline, so the next request feels only a bit bigger—even when it crosses a line.
5. The trap.
   After a child shares something sensitive, the threats begin: “Do more, or we post this.” Offenders keep pressure high with countdowns, fake “proof” they’ve shared files, and constant shaming to stay in control.

Related: Why Vulnerable Kids Face Greater Online Risks and How to Help Them Stay Safe

Red flags to teach your child

            Any child can be targeted. The risk is higher for kids who feel lonely or anxious, are being bullied, worry about their body, or spend a lot of time online without support. Younger children using apps meant for older teens also face more adult pressure and dynamics.

            Teach one simple habit: if two or three warning signs show up at once, pause, don’t reply, take a screenshot, and tell an adult.

Profile clues: brand-new account; few or no posts; generic bio; edgy symbols; lots of secrecy; no real mutual friends or odd follower patterns.
Message clues: urgent demands to act now; offers of gifts/money/game currency; “prove yourself” dares; chat that turns mean or sexual and is brushed off as “just banter”; constant pushes to switch apps or “keep this between us.”
Group vibe: rules against “snitching”; humiliation or “punishment” dares; strong us-vs-them talk; pile-ons when anyone questions the group.

Remind your child: it’s always okay to block, report, and mute and to bring you in early.

Related: Don't Let Your Child Lie About Their Age in Games. Here's Why.

A real-life example: 764

In March 2025, the FBI warned about rising activity tied to an online network called 764—described as a violent, nihilist-leaning scene that targets children and teenagers. Investigators say it began when a teenager, Bradley Cadenhead, created a Discord server named “764” and drew others into abusing and terrorizing minors. He has since been convicted and sentenced to 80 years in prison.

Officials stress that this isn’t just about shocking posts. The goal is to groom, manipulate, and exploit vulnerable kids. Prosecutors have said the network’s broader aim is to fuel social chaos and undermine core institutions, including the U.S. government.

The scope has been large: the FBI has opened more than 250 related investigations, and all 55 field offices have handled at least one case. In April 2025, two additional figures described as leaders were arrested.

Contact often starts on everyday platforms—social apps, mobile chats, and popular games such as Roblox and Discord. According to the FBI, most victims are 10 to 17, with some as young as nine. The approach typically begins with friendly or romantic attention, then slides into coercion: demands to create violent or abusing materials, carve symbols into skin, or place fake emergency calls to send police to someone’s home (swatting).

Once a child gives in even once, the threats begin. Offenders use the fear of exposure—promising to share images or videos with family, friends, or the public—to force more compliance.

Predators linked to 764 don’t choose targets at random. They look for children who seem lonely, distressed, or eager for connection. Kids already struggling with mental health issues—such as depression, eating problems, or suicidal thoughts—face greater risk because attention and secrecy can make the pressure feel safer than it is.

Related: Online Gaming Safety for Kids – Essential Tips for Parents

Prevent problems with a simple home safety net

Keep screens in shared spaces at night.
Set an evening routine where devices stay in the living room or kitchen and charge there overnight. This cuts down on late-night messages, secrecy, and pressure to respond.

Match apps to your child’s stage.
Choose platforms that fit their age and maturity. When a new app pops up, look at it together before saying yes. Start with private profiles and limit DMs to people your child actually knows.

Turn on quiet protections.
Use built-in filters and Parental Control, tighten who can tag or message your child, and add two-factor authentication to important accounts. Small settings block a lot of unwanted contact and help even if a password leaks.

Do quick, regular check-ins.
Short chats beat big lectures. Try: “What’s been fun—or annoying—on your apps this week?” or “Seen any weird messages lately?” Stay curious, not accusatory, so your child keeps talking.

Related: Why Being a More Involved Digital Parent Helps Your Child Thrive Online

If your child is coerced or blackmailed online

• Stay calm and make it safe to talk. Start with: “I’m glad you told me. You’re not in trouble.”
• Collect proof without spreading it. Save screenshots, usernames, links, and dates. Don’t forward illegal images—store evidence securely.
• Use the platform’s tools. Block the offender and report in-app (harassment, impersonation, sexual exploitation). Most services have clear reporting paths.
• Don’t send money or more content. Paying or complying almost always leads to more demands.
• Secure accounts right away. Change passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, review friends/contacts, and tighten privacy settings.
• Tell the right authorities. Contact local police or your national child-protection/cybercrime hotline. If classmates or school devices are involved, inform the school so they can help keep students safe.
• Support your child afterward. Check in often, watch for stress, and consider counseling. Offenders rely on shame; your steady support helps remove it.
• If there’s immediate danger (plans to meet, threats of self-harm), call emergency services now.

What not to do

Don’t threaten to ban everything.
All-or-nothing rules push kids to hide what’s really going on or switch to devices you can’t see. Set clear boundaries with reasons and alternatives instead—that keeps the door open.

Don’t “teach by touring” harmful groups or symbols.
Showing names, logos, or screenshots can trigger algorithms to surface more of that content and it can glamorize what you’re trying to prevent. Focus on behaviors and safety skills (block, report, mute) rather than labels.

Don’t blame your child.
Shame is the predator’s best tool to keep kids quiet. Make it clear they’re not in trouble and that the wrongdoing lies with the adult who coerced them. Then move to practical next steps together.

Protect your family

 Harmful online groups change names, not tactics. Teach your child to spot the pattern, set a few fair house rules, and make it clear they won’t be in trouble for telling you when something feels off.

To back up those habits, protect the whole household with a family plan. Bitdefender’s Family Plans are the family versions of Total Security, Premium Security, and Ultimate Security, so you get the same award-winning protection with coverage for everyone under one subscription. As the Family Manager, you control an easy dashboard: set internet routines, filter inappropriate content, block trackers and ads, and get alerts when something suspicious pops up. Teens keep more independence with age-appropriate limits and oversight. Adults manage their own privacy and devices—and can be added as Secondary Managers to help run family-wide security.

Under the hood, you also get device security across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS; phishing and scam protection, data breach alerts, a Password Manager for up to 5 users, and unlimited VPN to keep your family’s browsing private. Pair these tools with your house rules, and you’ve got a strong safety net that grows with your kids—not just this year, but every year.

Choose your safety solution, here.