'The Com': Europol warns of online network grooming children into violence and sexual abuse

Europol and police forces including An Garda Síochána are investigating The Com, an online network encouraging juveniles to inflict violence on themselves or others. Picture: iStock

European police are alarmed at the rise of an online network, mainly composed of children, which encourages and coerces juveniles to inflict extreme violence on themselves or other people.

Known as ‘The Com’, meaning community, this sprawling network is posing an “extremely serious threat” to children and society Europol said.