Maine officials warn parents of disturbing online groups targeting kids

MAINE, USA — An online threat has Maine safety officials warning about extremist groups targeting children through popular games and social media, leading to serious psychological and physical harm.

Christopher Wheeler, liaison for the Local Emergency Planning Committee with Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, described the situation as “dark.” The warning stems from a recent FBI-hosted conference that revealed the tactics of so-called Nihilistic Violent Extremist groups.

“These groups start out friendly,” Wheeler explained. “Then they start asking for nude photos, and it escalates to blackmail, even pushing kids to carve initials into their skin.”

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Wheeler said the groups often operate on gaming platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, and on social media sites. They typically use voice chat features, making it harder for parents to know what’s happening.

“They use all these manipulative ways to get children to trust them,” Wheeler added.

In response, Maine State Police and school districts across the state are urging parents to take action.

Brunswick School Superintendent issued a letter advising families to actively monitor children’s online activity and interactions.

“Parents and caregivers play a critical role in helping children navigate the digital world safely,” said Brunswick Superintendent Phillip J. Potenziano, Ed.D. “Taking time to regularly check in on their digital activity—and having open conversations about who they’re interacting with and what they’re seeing—can make a significant difference in keeping them safe online.”

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Cape Elizabeth’s Superintendent encouraged families to follow tips from the U.S. Department of Justice to keep children safe online by discussing body safety, watching for signs of abuse, enabling parental controls, and talking with children about the dangers of sharing personal information, photos, and videos online. 

“The one kid gets victimized, then they get brought in and can go on to victimize another child,” Wheeler noted, highlighting how these groups perpetuate cycles of abuse.

The warning comes as summer vacation begins—a time when children may spend more unsupervised hours online. 

While officials stressed there are no known threats to Maine schools, they emphasized the importance of parental awareness and digital oversight.

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