Online Gangs:Teens as Easy Targets
The extreme material shared by online gangs of teenage boys in the UK has sounded a serious alarm. According to a warning from the National Crime Agency (NCA), these boys are joining online groups where they share sadistic and misogynistic content that fuels crimes such as fraud, violence, and child sexual abuse. This trend is not only concerning for the UK but also poses a challenge for countries like India, where internet and social media usage are rapidly increasing. Analyzing this issue from an Indian perspective is essential to address potential dangers and protect young people.
As per the NCA, online communities promote crimes such as cyber attacks, fraud, extremism, blackmail, serious violence, and child sexual abuse. These online communities, known as “Com” networks, have increased sixfold in the UK from 2022 to 2024. The agency’s analysts estimate that millions of messages relating to sexual and physical abuse have been shared in the UK and other Western countries.
This warning is particularly significant for India because of its large youth population actively using the internet. Due to the availability of cheap data and smartphones, teenagers and young adults are spending more time on social media platforms, making them more susceptible to such online threats. Despite the existence of laws and active law enforcement agencies related to child sexual abuse and cybercrime in India, the growing trend of online teenage gangs presents a serious challenge.
The Netflix hit series Adolescence, depicting the relationship between “incel” culture and real-world harm, has raised concerns about boys and young men in the online “manosphere.” Similarly, in India, online groups and communities exist that radicalize young people and influence them with negative ideologies.
India needs to take several steps to combat this threat. First, there is a need to establish robust mechanisms to monitor and remove online content. Social media companies need to be held accountable, ensuring that they take proactive steps to prevent such content from spreading on their platforms. Second, awareness campaigns need to be conducted to educate young people about online safety and responsibility. Cyber security courses should be introduced in schools and colleges to make students aware of online threats and teach them how to stay safe.
The role of parents is also crucial. They should monitor their children’s online activities and have open conversations with them so that they can avoid becoming victims of any kind of online harassment or exploitation. Parents should also make their children aware of the dangers of joining online communities and groups.
Law enforcement agencies should also take strict action against these online teenage gangs. Cybercrime units need to be trained to identify these groups, track their activities, and arrest the perpetrators. International cooperation is also important, as these online gangs often operate across borders. n