Hey, fellow dads—grab a coffee, because this one’s heavy. If you’re like me, you’re juggling work, coaching little league, and trying to be that rock for your family. But in the shadows of the internet, something sinister is targeting our boys and girls, and it’s not some distant headline. It’s happening right now, on the apps and games our kids love. I recently tuned into a raw, eye-opening podcast chat between hosts Eric Maynard and Mr. Pancakes, where they dove deep into the 764 network—a global web of predators grooming kids for the worst kinds of exploitation. They pulled no punches, drawing from real investigations like the Shawn Ryan Show episode that first blew this open. As a dad, it hit me like a gut punch: We can’t afford to be naive anymore. Our role? Be the shield. Let’s break this down, arm you with the facts (including the latest 2025 updates), and get you equipped to fight back.

What the Hell Is the 764 Network?

Picture this: A loose, spiderweb-like group of nihilists—folks who worship chaos and get off on breaking people—who started as a Discord server in 2021, named after a Texas ZIP code. Founded by a bullied 15-year-old kid named Bradley Chance Cadenhead (aka “Felix”), who got twisted up in an earlier group called CVLT before scaling this nightmare globally. By the time he was arrested and slapped with an 80-year sentence in 2023, 764 had ballooned into thousands of members across the US, India, Romania, Greece, and beyond. These aren’t just pervs; they’re extremists the FBI now labels “modern-day terrorists” for their sadistic playbook.

At its core, 764 isn’t about quick cash—it’s about power through pain. They lure vulnerable kids (mostly 9-17, hitting girls harder because, as one host bluntly put it, “girls are more emotional and physically weaker in that type of stature”) via kid-friendly spots like Roblox, Minecraft, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. Posing as peers, they build trust, coax out nudes or secrets, then flip to blackmail: “Do this or we leak it to your family/school.” What follows? Coerced self-harm (carving “764” into skin), animal torture, sexual acts on livestream, even suicide—all shared for “likes” in their twisted cult. The podcast hosts shared gut-wrenching stories: A teen girl manipulated into slitting her throat after killing her cat on camera. A guy in his 20s lighting himself on fire while the group cheered and mocked his screams. It’s not hyperbole—it’s documented horror.

And the ideology? Satanic-tinged nihilism, where “real power” means harming without regret. Subgroups like Harm Nation, H3LL, Leak Society, Maniac Murder Cult (MKUMMC), and even precursors like Greggy’s Cult (whose leaders were just indicted in December 2025 for spawning 764) overlap and spawn new offshoots faster than cops can shut them down. VPNs, custom hacks, and international hideouts make them ghosts.

The 2025 Wake-Up Call: It’s Getting Worse

Dads, if you think this is old news, think again. As of December 2025, the FBI’s hunting over 350 suspects in the US alone—a 500% spike in related arrests this year. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is on pace for nearly 2,000 reports tied to 764-like networks—double last year’s tally. Recent busts include:

  • Erik Lee Madison, 20, from Maryland: Indicted November 20 for exploiting three minors, forcing explicit acts via 764 channels.
  • Tony Christopher Long, 19, from California: Charged October 27 for animal crushing and cyberstalking a kid, all under 764’s banner.
  • Dong Hwan Kim, 27, from LA: Nailed in August for child porn possession as a 764 member aiming to “accelerate social unrest.”
  • Five “Greggy’s Cult” ringleaders (including a former Navy sailor): Busted December 2 for the extortion blueprint that birthed 764, hitting victims on Roblox and Counter-Strike.

FBI Director Kash Patel called it “one of the most serious issues in America” last week, vowing a crackdown. Bipartisan bills like the ECCHO Act (introduced December 2025) aim to criminalize coercing kids to self-harm—because right now, there’s no federal law explicitly banning it. But arrests aren’t enough; these groups regenerate like weeds.

Why Dads? Because We’re the Gatekeepers

The podcast nailed it: Too many parents (yeah, including us guys) hand over tablets to buy peace, trusting “it’s just a game.” But as Mr. Pancakes said, “There’s no excuse” if we let this slide. We’re not just providers—we’re protectors. Eric Maynard shared how his second-grader’s bug-selling biz taught resilience, but online? That’s predator central. And the hosts’ Gen-X grit? Spot on. We grew up pre-internet; today’s kids swim in it. Our edge: Paranoia pays off.

The real tragedy? These monsters prey on isolation. Bullied kids, low self-esteem, absent dads—they’re prime targets. One host admitted, “I did it all [partying, traveling] before fatherhood… Now my life’s dedicated to my child.” Boom. Pause the selfishness. Build that unbreakable bond.

Your Action Plan: 10 Dad-Approved Steps to Lock It Down

No fluff—here’s how to dad-proof your home, pulled from the podcast and FBI/NCMEC pros.

  1. Ban the Hot Zones (At Least Early On): Roblox? Minecraft? Off-limits until they’re teens and you’ve vetted. Mr. Pancakes: “My child will never be on Roblox. Not ever.” Harsh? The 5% risk of hell isn’t worth it.
  2. Gear Up Tech: Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time for history tracking. Disable DMs on Discord/Roblox/Snapchat. Block keywords like “764,” “harm,” “cutsign.” Apple’s Communication Safety blurs nudes automatically.
  3. Red Flag Patrol: Secret accounts? Hiding screens? Unexplained cuts/bruises (or pet injuries)? Late-night “gaming”? Sudden mood dives? Intervene now. Search their name online weekly.
  4. The No-BS Talk: “Some ‘friends’ online aren’t kids—they’re monsters asking for secrets or pics. Tell me anything, and I won’t hate you. We’ll crush them together.” Repeat often. No judgment.
  5. Build Iron Confidence: As Gary Vaynerchuk says (shoutout to the podcast), self-confidence is armor #1. Praise efforts, not just wins. Teach identity: Boys build, girls nurture—traditional values ground them. Faith? Share Bible morals (love, virtue) even if secular—it’s human logic against nihilism.
  6. Your Duty as Enforcer: Mr. Pancakes’ line killed me: “It is my job to ensure that if anything pops off, I can kill every single one of you in less than 30 minutes.” Train (gym, self-defense), stay sharp. Be the dad who’d burn it all down for his kid.
  7. Family First, Always: Ditch the narcissism. Podcast wisdom: Live for them now; wild times can wait 18 years. Open convos beat controls every time.
  8. Toolkit Time: Grab DHS’s free Know2Protect checklist for audits. Report suspicions to FBI tips or NCMEC’s CyberTipline.
  9. Community Call: Talk to other dads, schools, pastors. Isolation is the enemy’s friend.
  10. Stay Updated: Follow FBI alerts. This evolves—your vigilance doesn’t.

For more details, click Here

Final Word: You’re the Hero They Need

Dads, the 764 scum laugh because they think we’re checked out. Prove ’em wrong. That podcast ended with hope: Strong families win. Your son needs to know Dad’s got his back—online and off. Your daughter needs to feel unbreakable. Start today: Audit devices, hug ’em tight, and lead the charge. We’ve got this. For them.

If your kid’s in danger, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) or FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Resources at missingkids.org.

Stay vigilant, brothers. Drop a comment: What’s your top tip? Let’s build each other up.

—Your fellow dad warrior