2026 School Safety Training Forum

This session will provide an overview of violent online networks targeting youth, including the “Edgesphere,” “COM,”, “764,” and the “True Crime Community.” Some recent acts of targeted violence, including school-based incidents, have been linked to individuals influenced by these networks. Participants will receive critical insights into how these decentralized violent online networks operate, including the structure of affiliated subnetworks and groups, common narratives and symbols used to signal affiliation, and the tactics employed to recruit, manipulate, and normalize harm. The training will address the use of disturbing content, such as extreme violence, animal cruelty, and self-harm as well as coercive and psychologically abusive behaviors designed to desensitize and control vulnerable youth. A key component of this training is helping participants recognize potential behavioral indicators and warning signs of youth involvement in violent online networks. The training will also help participants better understand how this information can inform early identification, reporting, and prevention efforts within school and community settings.