Some corners of the internet look like ordinary chat groups, fandoms, or gaming clans, but inside they run on in-jokes, secrecy, dares, and pressure. Over time, they normalize cruelty, hate, sexual exploitation, or self-harm and work to recruit new members, including children.
Most of these groups start on mainstream platforms-short-video apps, gaming chats, and group DMs—then push kids into private or encrypted spaces with less oversight. The vibe is “edgy” and exclusive: we get it; adults don