The FBI is tracking an increase in activity from a network called “764,” a decentralized network of online predators looking to exploit children on the devices and apps they use most and manipulating them into doing acts of violence and self-harm.
A young man in New Jersey was arrested and charged last week for offenses federal prosecutors said are in connection with the online network.
“764” is based off a portion of the zip code in Texas where the online extremism originally started.
It’s happening not just across the country but also in the Tri-State.
Eyewitness News partnered with ABC News to report on this important warning for parents that the FBI is now calling the number one threat against kids.
Since 7 On Your Side Investigates first reported on the issue in May, the FBI has opened at least 100 additional investigations into violent extremists online.
Here’s how federal investigators say it works: The online predators find kids online on gaming sites and social media. They befriend them and then extort them. Often times, they threaten to release information about them and their family online if they don’t do what they’re told. The predators then make the child do things to harm themselves or others.
“If your child is on social media, they’re likely to be a target of this, it’s just that simple,” said Matthew Kriner with the Institute for Countering Digital Extremism.
“This activity is growing exponentially at times online,” Kriner said. “It’s a very difficult space to actually tamp down or reduce the online activity.”
A 21-year-old man in New Jersey was arrested and charged last week on cyberstalking charges. Prosecutors say he used the internet to threaten a minor female and told her to cut herself on two occasions.
A federal complaint shows he also wrote things like “There’s not enough school shootings,” “society must collapse to STOP WHITE GENOCIDE” and “764 is my favorite honestly because they go after…minority kids…which is awesome… Better for them to be removed when they’re young before they grow up and become a bigger problem.”
The defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Friday. Eyewitness News reached out to his attorney who hasn’t responded yet for comment.
“It sounds terrible but these individuals want control, they want power, they want to be able to say to their peers and to rise in the ranks of these groups that they’ve made others do these terrible things themselves,” Kriner said. “Everything they can do to raise their profile for them whether it’s harming other people or just getting mentions in the media or a combination of the two, that’s what they’re after.”
That’s why 7 On Your Side Investigates has decided not to publicly name those accused of taking part in the online extremism.
ABC News Anchor Juju Chang interviewed the parents of 13-year-old Jay Taylor, who died by suicide after authorities say a 764 member in Germany pushed him to take his own life. The man being prosecuted has denied the charges against him.
“The fact that the perpetrators are having access directly to our kids’ mind versus their physical well-being is extremely scary,” said Colby Taylor, the boy’s father.
Tuesday’s “Nightline” takes an in depth look at the issue not just nationally but globally.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says this year alone it’s on track to receive nearly 2,000 reports of abuse tied to 764 or similar online networks, much of it starting on popular online platforms.
The FBI director recently called it modern day terrorism in America.
“764 crimes that involve harming our children by going after them online, causing self-mutilation, suicide, sexual abuse and steering them in the wrong direction,” Kash Patel said.
While online activity has picked up, so have the steps federal investigators said they’re taking to find online extremism.
Experts say, parents need to talk to their children about what to watch out for.
“Have the difficult conversations now about what your child may or may not be exposed to online,” Kriner said. “It’s very similar to the birds in the bees conversation, it’s going to be painful, it’s uncomfortable, it’s unfortunate… but they need to hear it.”
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