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... The story reported on National Public Radio (NPR) centers on "Elliott," a 14-year-old whose transition into high school coincided with family upheaval " and a deep dive into online communities tied to niche music interests.

What began as innocent digital exploration spiraled into exposure to gore sites, violent ideology, and predatory networks like 764 and CVLT (pronounced "cult"), which law enforcement now link to dozens of serious crimes and multiple suicides.

Despite parental controls and therapy, Elliott's behavior changed drastically -- from self-harm and talk of death, to parroting anti-LGBTQ+ views.

It wasn't until a hospitalization in early 2024 that his mother began to uncover the full extent of the psychological abuse and coercion taking place in these digital spaces. "It was like he was taken hostage and brainwashed," she said. ....