The 764 Group Killed His Daughter - Here’s What Parents Need to Know

WARNING: If this is not the right time in your day to hear a very sad story about the death of a child, you may want to come back to this another time.Suicide is now the #2 cause of death for ages 10-24. Jason Sokolowski's daughter Penelope became part of that statistic in February 2025, just six months ago. In this raw conversation, Jason shares what he learned too late about the 764 group and online predation.The 764 group operates with literal guidebooks for grooming children. They reached Penelope through Roblox, controlled her through death threats against Jason and his ex-wife, and weaponized authorities against him when Jason tried to learn more about who is behind this evil.Jason reveals:✓ Specific grooming tactics he witnessed but didn't recognize✓ Why monitoring apps and parental controls failed✓ How kids create accounts under parent emails✓ The extortion cycle that traps children✓ Warning signs every parent should know✓ Immediate protective actions availableEvery parent thinks "not my child." Jason thought that too.Opening & Context00:00:78 - Introduction: Why this conversation matters00:02:09 - Who was Penelope: A brilliant, creative 16-year-oldFamily Technology Journey00:17:54 - First phone at 11: Setting boundaries that seemed reasonable00:20:20 - Roblox monitoring: "I thought I was covering all bases"00:22:39 - The anime friend: Witnessing grooming without recognizing it00:29:16 - Instagram discovery: Multiple accounts, hidden personas00:35:40 - TikTok emergence: 2500 followers and growing concernCrisis Escalation01:15:24 - First self-harm incident: Text from bathroom01:18:47 - Second cutting episode: "The sight I have in my brain"01:20:11 - "I'm part of a self-harm group"01:23:56 - First suicide attempt01:25:51 - Discovery of 764 messaging: "Culprit" carved into chestUnderstanding 76400:49:22 - How 764 operates: Love bombing to extortion00:51:56 - The protection trap: Kids protecting parents from death threats00:55:55 - Culprit's phone calls: Predator contacting Jason directly01:11:53 - 764 origins: Bill Cadenhead and grooming guidebooks01:30:34 - Self-harm bucket list: Gamification of sufferingSystem Failures00:45:35 - Schools enabling access: Kids exchanging favors for internet01:33:41 - Protection order: How predators weaponize authorities01:37:03 - Forced removal from home: System playing into predator's planCritical Insights & Solutions00:42:39 - Timeline: 3-6 months from grooming to full control01:47:05 - Suicide as #2 cause of youth death01:51:30 - "Extortion is attempted murder"02:18:43 - Core solution: No phones in bedrooms00:46:54 - Essential reading: "The Anxious Generation"03:02:44 - Meeting kids with curiosity, not judgment03:06:28 - The Aunt Becky example: True curiosity