JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – What starts as a game turns into a hunting ground. Federal investigators say a violent online network called 764 is weaponizing encrypted apps to target children as young as 13, coercing them into sexual exploitation, self-harm and violence.Federal prosecutors say 21-year-old Prasan Nepal, described as a leader of 764, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to sexually exploit children.The case is raising new alarms for parents about who their children are talking to online and on which platforms those conversations are happening.Lawsuits claim gaming companies failed to protect kidsNumerous lawsuits allege gaming companies are not protecting kids in their interactions.In June, Roblox rolled out new age-based accounts after 180 lawsuits from families claiming the platform facilitated abuse, exploitation and assault, according to attorney Jamie Powers.Roblox age restrictions(Gray News)Lawsuits argue the company prioritized growth over safeguards like age verification and parental controls.“These reports have been coming in, you know — 2016, 2017 — years and years before, so the fact that they’re just now doing something, that’s not enough because we still get calls daily,” Powers said.Powers called the guilty plea in the 764 case a step in the right direction, but not enough.“Is it a step in the right direction? Sure. But is it enough? No,” Powers said. “We need to protect our kids.”She noted that one of the leaders is now in his twenties, meaning he was a teenager when he was both a predator and preying on kids, “and so it makes it harder for parents.”Protection starts at homeBut Powers says protection also starts at home.She shared an idea she heard from a client: sit down with your child to go through their ‘friends’ list on social media platforms.“The parent will say, how do you know this person, do I know this person, have you ever seen this person’s face,” Powers said.Conversations like this can help eliminate unknown threats to keep your child protected.How to protect your kids onlinePowers recommends parents:Talk with your children about their online interactionsMake sure they know they can come to you without fear of blameTake threats or signs of exploitation seriouslyRegularly review friends/followers lists together and remove unknown contactsReview privacy settings, age verification tools and parental controls on games and appsIf you suspect exploitation, save evidence, report it to law enforcement, and contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org .Copyright 2026 WBBJ. All rights reserved.
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