NCA Warns of Rise in Teen 'Com Networks'

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a stark warning about the rise of 'com networks'—sadistic and misogynistic online groups primarily composed of teenage boys. These networks are implicated in a range of criminal activities, including child sexual abuse, extremism, and coercing victims into self-harm and violence, often targeting young girls. Reports related to these groups have surged six-fold between 2022 and 2024, highlighting a significant rise in both perpetrators and victims. Operating on mainstream social media platforms, these groups manipulate victims using extreme coercion, and share disturbing content that desensitizes participants to violence and abuse. The NCA emphasizes the urgency of addressing this threat, as these groups are not hidden on the dark web but are instead thriving in the digital spaces frequented by young people. Notably, such activities have already led to arrests and convictions, underscoring the severity and real-world impact of this online phenomenon.