Safeguarding Blog

Com Networks: The Rise of Violent Teen Digital Communities

Written by Alex Dave | Oct 6, 2026, 7:30:00 AM

The National Crime Agency has issued a formal warning regarding the rapid growth of Com networks, which are dangerous online groups predominantly composed of teenage boys who coordinate acts of violence and exploitation.

These digital communities facilitate a wide array of illegal activities, often targeting other children.

Recent data highlights a surge in these activities, with offenders frequently using coercion and grooming techniques to force victims into humiliation,  self-harm, violence or sexual abuse. 

Authorities emphasise that these groups operate on mainstream social media and gaming platforms rather than any obscure sites or the dark web, making them easily accessible to children.

To combat this evolving threat, law enforcement leaders and government ministers are calling for increased parental vigilance and stricter safety regulations for tech companies. 

 

What are Coms Networks?

Com networks are online forums or communities where individuals collaborate or compete to cause harm across a wide range of criminal activities, both online and offline.

These activities include cybercrime, fraud, extremism, serious violence, and child sexual abuse. Sometimes this involves the creation and sharing of Child Sexual Abuse Material, asking members to abuse siblings or pets, encouraging self-harm and suicide, and stalking and harassment. In one case linked to a Com network, a member even murdered a stranger.

While adults are involved, these networks are predominantly composed of teenage boys who often share sadistic and misogynistic material, encouraging each other to do so and creating a digital space that normalises more and more extreme acts.
Sky News published this article about Com Networks in September 2026.
 

Why are those in Com Networks predominantly male?

There is no single reason why Com networks are predominantly male, but there are cultural factors and motivations within these groups that align with male-dominated online subcultures, such as:

  •  Misogynistic Culture: A defining characteristic of these networks is the frequent sharing of misogynistic material, which often frames the harm and exploitation of women and girls as a goal, naturally drawing in a male demographic that subscribes to or is influenced by such beliefs

  •  Power Dynamics and Grooming: The networks often involve teenage boys using social engineering and grooming techniques to target others, particularly girls. In many cases, girls are coerced into self-harm or sexual abuse, positioning the male offenders in a role of control and dominance.

  • Extreme Belief Systems: These groups utilise a broad range of extreme belief systems to justify their violence, which often provide a framework that appeals to young men seeking a sense of identity or purpose through online radicalisation

Why do children get involved?

The networks recruit and draw in children (often teenage boys) through several methods and motivations:
  • Accessibility on Common Platforms: Unlike many criminal groups, these networks do not lurk on the dark web. They exist on the same social media and gaming platforms that young people use every day, making them easily accessible.

  • Targeting vulnerable children: Perpetrators will target children, and sometimes specifically those on forums and sites that indicate they are vulnerable (e.g. linked to mental health or eating disorders), as they may be easier to manipulate and groom.

  • Notoriety and Status: One of the primary drivers for involvement is the pursuit of status within the community.
    Members gain notoriety based on the level of harm they inflict and the depravity of the content they share

  •  Grooming: Offenders use common grooming techniques to target victims (flattery, relationship building, fulfilling someone's unmet need (e.g. for a sense of belonging). In some cases, victims are groomed into becoming offenders themselves 

  •  Coercion and Extortion: Networks frequently use manipulation, such as convincing victims they are in a relationship, to exploit them. This can lead to sextortion or blackmail, where victims feel too scared to seek help 

  •  Financial and Sexual Incentives: Some members are motivated by sexual gratification or the opportunity to profit by selling material or executing cyberattacks like ransomware and data breaches.

 

What can Schools do to prevent engagement with Com Networks?

The Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA) has explicitly called upon education professionals to play a vital role in reducing the risks posed by "sadistic and violent online gangs" known as Com networks. Schools can do this in the following ways:

 

 

Review filtering

Ensure your filtering is configured to block gaming and social media for pupils. Seek evidence from your IT Support team that this is the case. In particular, ensure that any devices that go home with pupils are configured effectively. We have lots of support available at safefiltering.lgfl.net.

Foster Trusting Environments

Children and young people are better protected when surrounded by adults they can trust and talk to without fear of being blamed or judged.

Strive to create a school environment where regular, open, and honest conversations occur, making it easier for young people to disclose concerns. This doesn't just happen without careful consideration. What opportunities do you create? What values underpin your culture? What does relational practice look like in your school? What do children and parents say about your school?

Use Dedicated Educational Resources 

 Avoid naming specific groups as this can draw more attention to them. Instead, education professionals can access a variety of lesson plans and resources specifically designed to protect under-18s from online sexual abuse and harm 

 These can be found at www.ceopeducation.co.uk/professionals 

Raise Awareness of Grooming Tactics 

Understanding that these groups exist on the same platforms young people use daily is vital for effective monitoring and education messaging. Relationships education and consistent online safety are critical for prevention.

Use your data from your monitoring system to identify concerns

 

Your monitoring system should be alerting DSLs to concerns relating to children's communication, behaviour and content online. This can be extremely helpful in identifying emerging risks and intervening early through targeted support with children, families and class groups. LGfL works in partnership with Senso to offer monitoring to any school.

Provide Targeted Support for Concerning Behaviour

For children who may be concerned about their own sexual thoughts or online behaviour, schools can direct them to specialised help and advice services such as Shore Space.

As per KCSIE, where staff identify children experiencing mental health issues, self harm and eating disorders, these should be referred to the DSL as a safeguarding concern and the school should consider the pastoral support required.

 

How can schools help parents?

CEOP Education provides parents and carers with a dedicated platform containing information, advice, and practical resources specifically designed for use at home with their children.
 
The guidance emphasises the following key approaches for parents to support their children's online safety:
  • Establish Regular Communication: Parents are encouraged to have regular, open, and honest conversations with their children about their online activities. This helps ensure children feel supported and are more likely to disclose concerns.

  • Build a Culture of Trust: It is vital for children to feel they have adults around them whom they can trust and talk to without fear of being blamed.

  • Seek Specialist Support: For parents concerned about child sexual abuse or those whose children may be struggling with their own online behaviour or sexual thoughts, resources like Shore Space provide specialised help and advice. 

 
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