Australian authorities have raised concerns about online crime networks that target young girls, coercing them into acts of violence against themselves, their siblings, or pets, described as a troubling form of gamification. In response, a new task force has been established to assist global efforts in addressing this emerging issue related to gender-based violence, according to Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett.
To date, three individuals have been arrested in Australia, with an additional nine arrests made internationally. The specific nature of the acts being coerced remains unclear; however, Commissioner Barrett indicated that the alleged offenders hold violent extremist beliefs and are motivated by notions of harming others “for fun.”
These perpetrators, primarily males in their late teens to early twenties and predominantly from Western backgrounds, recruit pre-teen and teenage girls through gaming platforms like Roblox and messaging apps such as Discord and Telegram. Barrett referred to these individuals as “crimefluencers,” who adhere to various ideologies, including nihilism and sadism, among others.
The culture of these groups mirrors that of online gaming, leading to the stalking and recruitment of victims from diverse platforms. Barrett noted that the perpetrators might not fully comprehend the repercussions of their actions. The primary motivation behind this behavior appears not to be financial gain or sexual gratification, but rather a pursuit of amusement and popularity online.
Approximately 60 alleged offenders have been identified within Australia, and the AFP is collaborating with other Five Eyes nations—encompassing the US, UK, New Zealand, and Canada—to target these groups. This development coincides with Australia’s plan to implement a pioneering social media ban for children under 16, aimed at reducing online harm. However, it is important to note that gaming and messaging platforms will not be included in this legislation, which is set to take effect in December.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0qpl7v7p0jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss