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Australia’s federal police are warning of a disturbing new trend: online criminal networks driven by a desire for amusement and online notoriety, targeting pre-teen and teenage girls. As tech companies prepare to comply wiht a nationwide ban on social media for those under 16, authorities are racing to dismantle these groups and understand the evolving threat.
The warning comes from Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Rebecca barrett, who described the emerging networks as a “new and disturbing front in traditional gendered-based violence.” According to prepared remarks, the motivation behind these crimes isn’t financial gain or sexual gratification, but rather “purely for their amusement, for fun – or to be popular online without fully understanding the consequences.”
These groups, Barrett explained, operate with a culture akin to multiplayer online gaming, actively “hunt, stalk and draw in victims from a range of online platforms.” Perpetrators, typically young men aged 17 to 20, groom their victims online and then coerce them into performing acts of violence against themselves, family members, or pets.
The dynamic is notably insidious, with perpetrators gaining status within the group by escalating the severity of the acts they incite. Barrett revealed that, in some instances, victims are even “traded with each other, just like in an online game.” Vulnerable individuals – those with low self-esteem, mental health disorders, or a history of self-harm – are particularly susceptible to this manipulation.
The escalating threat coincides with the impending implementation of a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16,set to take effect on December 10. The ban will apply to major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, though the inclusion of Discord and Roblox remains unclear.
During a recent Senate inquiry, representatives from Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta signaled their compliance with the law, despite expressing concerns about its effectiveness. Jennifer Stout, Snap Inc.’s senior vice president of global policy,stated,”We will comply with the law,even though we believe it has been unevenly applied and risks undermining community confidence in the law.” She acknowledged the ban would create difficulties for young users relying on snapchat to connect with friends and family.
Ella Woods-Joyce, public policy lead for TikTok, appeared via videolink during the hearing and echoed the sentiment, stating the company would adhere to the legislation. However, a tense exchange occurred when NSW Nationals Senator Ross Cadell questioned TikTok about its internal culture regarding “bullying and intimidation,” alleging his staff had been pressured to soften their questioning during a previous inquiry. Woods-Joyce denied the claim,stating she was “not aware of the details” and expressed confidence in the team’s professional conduct.
Expanding Investigation and International Cooperation
The AFP has established “Taskforce Pompilid,” named after a spider-hunting wasp, to specifically target and dismantle these emerging criminal networks. Recognizing the international scope of the problem, a dedicated sub-group within the Five Eyes law Enforcement Group – comprising Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada – has also been formed to collaborate on the investigation.
Beyond the immediate threat posed by these online groups, Barrett highlighted a broader concern: the increasing intersection of criminal activity and national security. she revealed that an individual suspected of involvement in a series of tobacco-related arsons in Australia is also a person of interest in the investigation into the alleged politically motivated arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
“That person is a national security threat to this country,” Barrett asserted, adding that this individual is her “number one priority.” Authorities suspect Kazem hamad of conspiring with foreign spies to carry out the synagogue firebombing, an incident that led to the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Canberra. Hamad and an associate, Ahmed Al Hamza, are believed to be operating from Iraq and Iran.
The convergence of criminal enterprises and geopolitical interests underscores the complex challenges facing Australian law enforcement. As Barrett takes the helm of the AFP, her focus on disrupting these networks and safeguarding vulnerable populations will be critical in navigating this evolving landscape.
