FBI warns online predators targeting children may be teenagers

Federal investigators and researchers are warning parents that online predators targeting children through gaming and social media platforms may actually be other teenagers. According to the FBI Dallas Field Office, violent online networks operate globally and frequently approach minors by posing as peers to build trust.

Data from the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology & Education Center indicates that more than 80% of those involved in these networks—including both victims and perpetrators—are under the age of 25. This demographic overlap makes it difficult for parents to identify suspicious contacts, as predators often share the same interests, memes, and online communities as their targets.

The FBI reports that these networks use personal information, photographs, or videos obtained through manipulation to blackmail victims. This coercion often forces minors to create increasingly violent or sexual content. Tactics used to escalate pressure include doxxing, swatting, and vandalism.