Europol urges vigilance as sinister online cults prey on children

Europol has issued a stark warning about the rise of “extremely violent” online cults that exploit and manipulate children, luring them into abuse, criminal acts, and even self-harm.

The phenomenon of violent online exploitation pressuring young people to join cult communities has grown “significantly” in recent years, the EU’s police agency reports in a new intelligence notice.

These online cults target children as young as eight to commit acts of terror, chaos, and violence, according to authorities. The collapse of modern society is a common theme, as are ideologies promoting mass shootings, bombings, and other acts of crime.

“These networks radicalize minds in the shadows, inciting them to bring violence into the real world,” said Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.

The communities are typically centered around charismatic leaders who use manipulation and deceit to lure and control their victims.

Many operate under a hierarchical structure in which members rise in rank by sharing increasingly violent content, including gore, animal cruelty, child sexual exploitation material, and depictions of murder.

Recruitment through “love bombing”

According to Europol, grooming cults are both interconnected and in competition with one another, operating on a global scale. They target vulnerable young people, particularly those from LGBTQ+ and racial minorities, as well as children struggling with mental health issues.

Criminals use various tactics to lure victims, often employing “love bombing” to gain trust and extract personal information through extreme expressions of care, kindness, and understanding.

The perpetrators groom their victims into producing sexual or violent content, which is then used to blackmail them into even more harmful acts by threatening to send the compromising images to their friends and family.

Earlier in February, Europol announced the arrest of the members of an online child abuse network called CVLT who forced their underage victims to eat their own hair, drink their urine, and mutilate their bodies.

At the peak of this abuse, CVLT’s victims were put under pressure to committ suicide via live stream, according to the authorities.

The criminals actively seek victims on all large platforms where young people interact, including gaming networks, streaming services, popular social media, and even online support groups dedicated to vulnerable youth.

Signs to watch out for

Recognizing early signs that a child may be influenced by violent online groups is “paramount,” police said. This can prevent victims from being manipulated into committing crimes and aid in tracking down perpetrators.

“Awareness is our first line of defence. Families, educators and communities must stay vigilant and equip young people with critical thinking skills to resist online manipulation,” Europol chief De Bolle said.

There are several behavioral indicators that parents, guardians, and caregivers should watch for.

These include secrecy about online activities, such as hiding screens when approached or using multiple or anonymous accounts, withdrawal and isolation from family and friends; sudden mood swings; anxiety, and depression.

An interest in harmful content or changes in language and symbols – such as using slang or codes – can also be early warning signs, as can efforts to conceal physical signs of self-harm.

Guardians should also be alert to excessive use of specific apps, interactions with unknown contacts, encrypted communications, and a tendency to access or share disturbing content.