FBI Warning Parents In West Virginia, Virginia, NC: Be Aware Of Doxing and Swatting

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning parents to be on alert for potential doxing and swatting incidents involving their children, particularly those active in online gaming communities.

The FBI recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn about this growing issue. While anyone can be a target, the FBI went into deeper detail on people who are targeted more often. Stating;

especially LGBTQ+ youth, racial minorities, and those who struggle with a variety of mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal ideation

What is Doxing?

Doxing is the practice of publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the Internet, typically with malicious intent. The name derives from documents or docx, pointing to the documentation of personal details such as real names, addresses, phone numbers, or even Social Security numbers.

What is Swatting?

Swatting, on the other hand, involves making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch a large number of armed police officers (SWAT) to a particular address. This potentially dangerous practice originated within online gaming communities but has since spread.

Be Cautious of Gaming and Social Media

The increasing popularity of online gaming platforms among children has, unfortunately, provided a conduit for potentially harmful behaviors. While many players game without issue, a small number of individuals use these platforms to intimidate, harass, or even seek revenge on their competitors through methods like doxing or swatting.

The increase in Doxing has prompted the Bureau to urge caution and heightened parental vigilance. It is advised to regularly monitor their children’s online activities and be alert for any signs of cyberbullying, including threats, intimidations, and revealing of personal information.

Parents can take several proactive measures to safeguard their children from these dangers, including ensuring that gaming profiles are set to private, advising children not to share personal details online, and encouraging them to report any suspicious or threatening activity immediately.

What To Do If You’ve Experienced Doxing

In addition to the safety guidelines, the FBI is urging victims of doxing or swatting to report the incident to local law enforcement and the Bureau’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

This isn’t just about protecting kids from annoyance or embarrassment. Doxing can lead to more serious forms of harassment, and swatting has the potential to turn deadly. It’s important to take these matters extremely seriously and ensure that parents in North Carolina – and indeed, across the nation – are equipped with the knowledge to protect their children.

This article first appeared on 97x