Letter From Superintendent Rizzo Regarding “764” Targeting Youth Online

Dec 23, 2025 | Board of Education, District, Featured, News, Superintendent Blog

Please find an important message from Superintendent Rizzo Regarding “764” targeting youth online below. This message includes what to look for and resources to help your students stay safe online. Please note this letter was emailed hope to all families on 12/23/25.

December 23, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I hope everyone in our school community enjoys some much-needed rest and relaxation over the holidays. With students home they may have more time on internet-enabled devices. While the internet offers a wealth of entertainment and information, it also contains potential risks. The FBI has issued warnings about a global online extremist network known as “764,”which is now actively targeting youth in the United States. The FBI has described this group as the “fastest-growing threat to U.S. teens.” Members of this network primarily target children and teens online. More than 90% of known victims are boys between the ages of 10 and 17, though any child can be at risk.

These individuals often:

Pretend to be teenagers.
Befriend kids through gaming chats or social media platforms.
Give excessive attention to build trust.
Flirt and pressure youth to send photos or disclose personal information.
Record all interactions.
Threaten to share images or information to create panic.
Coerce self-harm or dangerous acts.
Extort money or demand passwords.

The 764 group has been known to operate on commonly used platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft, Discord, Telegram, Xbox, PlayStation, and WhatsApp.

Warning Signs to Watch For:

Sudden secrecy around devices or online activity.
Emotional distress, anxiety, or withdrawal.
Requests for money or gift cards.
Fear about images being shared.
Changes in sleep, mood, or behavior.

Victims often feel trapped, ashamed, or afraid to tell an adult. This can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.

What Parents Can Do:

Talk to your child today.
Know which platforms your child uses and who they interact with.
Monitor children’s online activity and discuss risks associated with engaging in online platforms.
Exercise discretion when posting personal information, videos, or photos online especially content that includes minors. Note that anything shared online is often very difficult, if not impossible, to remove, particularly if it is shared by others.
Avoid posting phone numbers, addresses, or other personal information.
Apply privacy settings to social media accounts to limit public viewing of photos, videos, and personal information.
Exercise caution when accepting friend requests, engaging in video calls, and sending images.
If your child feels something is wrong, they should come to a trusted adult immediately.
Teach your child to STOP (engaging), BLOCK (the person) and REPORT (the activity to a trusted adult).

How to Report Threats or Suspicious Activity:

If you believe your child may have been targeted, or if you wish to report suspicious online activity, please use the following trusted reporting resources:

FBI Tip Line: https://tips.fbi.gov/home
National Center of Missing & Exploited Children Cyber Tipline: https://report.cybertip.org/
Call 911 if there is immediate danger.

Please know that the Berlin Central School District takes online safety seriously and is committed to working with families to protect students. If you have concerns, or questions, please reach out to a school administrator, counselor, or local law enforcement. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,
Ken Rizzo
Superintendent of Schools

Additional Resources