Hunted Online: Australian Girls Trapped in Terrifying Violent Acts
Australian authorities have raised alarm over a new trend where online crime networks are coercing girls into committing violent acts against themselves, their siblings, or even pets, all under what police describe as a “twisted type of gamification.”
According to Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett, these networks amount to a new and deeply disturbing form of gender-based violence. A dedicated task force has now been launched to counter this global threat.
So far, three arrests have been made in Australia, with nine more internationally. Nearly 60 alleged offenders have been identified domestically.
The perpetrators, mostly boys and young men in their late teens or early 20s, are embedded in gaming-style online cultures and connected via platforms like Roblox, Discord, and Telegram.
They subscribe to extremist ideologies ranging from nihilism and sadism to Nazism and satanism, and prey on pre-teen and teenage girls with vulnerabilities such as low self-esteem and mental health challenges.
Commissioner Barrett said these individuals, dubbed “crimefluencers,” seek amusement and online popularity rather than financial or sexual gain.
Their actions blur the boundaries between gaming culture and real-world violence, with girls being manipulated and stalked across multiple platforms. Many offenders, she noted, may not grasp the full gravity of their behaviour.
The AFP is partnering with other Five Eyes nations, the US, UK, New Zealand, and Canada, to disrupt the networks. Tech companies are assisting in creating AI-driven tools capable of detecting coded emojis and slang used to conceal online exploitation.
The warning comes as Australia prepares to implement a world-first social media ban for under-16s in December, although gaming and messaging platforms remain exempt, a gap that could leave children vulnerable.
This unfolding threat underscores the need for stronger safeguards, education, and monitoring to protect children in digital spaces.
Every child has the right to safety, dignity, and protection from all forms of violence, including digital exploitation.
