Secret networks of sadistic teenage boys are luring young girls on Roblox and forcing them to commit 'unspeakable' acts via Discord and Telegram, neither of which is included in the UK government's proposed social media ban for under-16s. Elijah Palmer, 18, contacted a victim on Roblox, then moved to Discord, where he groomed her into cutting his username into her skin and sending sexual images

Secret networks of sadistic teenage boys are luring young girls on Roblox and forcing them to commit 'unspeakable' acts via Discord and Telegram, neither of which is included in the UK government's proposed social media ban for under-16s. Elijah Palmer, 18, contacted a victim on Roblox, then moved to Discord, where he groomed her into cutting his username into her skin and sending sexual images. He threatened her and her family and said he would send a bomb threat to a school in her name. Palmer was jailed for four years and nine months at Sheffield Crown Court after pleading guilty to encouraging serious self-harm, sexual activity without consent, and making indecent images of children.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) warns that such 'Com networks' are a 'deeply concerning' transnational threat causing 'unprecedented' harm. The NCA is investigating around 200 cases, with reports up 2,900% since 2022. The threat is a priority for the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. NCA threat lead Rob Richardson said the abuse is 'children causing harm to other children' and the severity is worrying.