The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is addressing growing concerns over violent extremist groups influencing children and youth in Canada.
According to the RCMP website, there are multiple groups, associations and evolving subgroups that make up the online network known as “The Com” – short for community. “The Com” is a virtual community of groups and individuals who conduct illicit activities that glorify serious violence, cruelty, and gore. Elements of “The Com” network are known to have extreme ideological views and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.
“The Com” network deliberately targets, victimizes and recruits vulnerable children and youth between the ages of 8 and 17 years old. Members of “The Com” are threatening, harassing, extorting, coercing and encouraging vulnerable persons and youth to: engage in explicit acts or sexually exploit others; harm or kill family pets or other animals; perform self-harm; attempt or complete suicide; or conduct other acts of serious violence.
Parents can find helpful safety tips for their children here.