FBI warns of an increase in online groups extorting children into self-harming acts.

The FBI has warned of a "disturbing" increase in online groups extorting children into self-harming acts, threatening and manipulating victims to live-stream violence against themselves, animals, or their families with the ultimate goal of causing suicide. The groups target minors through video games and online chat rooms, and are currently being investigated in several regions across the US, though no resulting deaths have been reported.