FBI warning parents about online networks that target children and teens

(NBC, KYMA) - There's an urgent warning from the FBI about online groups that target children and teens.

The FBI in Columbia, South Carolina says they're seeing an extreme increase in violent online networks where bad actors befriend kids and teens in chat rooms and video games, specifically to coerce them to hurt themselves or someone else.

The FBI says those online groups target kids and teens and once they build a relationship with them, convince them to record themselves doing violent acts like self harm and animal cruelty.

The proof of those acts are used to blackmail the victims and force them to continue the violence.

Over the last year, the number of violent online network cases in South Carolina has increased 380% and every victim in those cases was a minor.

The FBI says in our continually developing digital age, it's getting even easier for violent extremists to victimize children by connecting with them online.

The FBI encourages parents to explain to their children that they are safe reporting online threats to them.