DiscoverFamily IT Guy PodcastThe 764 Group Killed His Daughter - Here’s What Parents Need to Know
The 764 Group Killed His Daughter - Here’s What Parents Need to Know

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

Update: 2025-08-28
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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 available





Every parent thinks "not my child." Jason thought that too.








Opening & Context


00:00:78 - Introduction: Why this conversation matters


00:02:09 - Who was Penelope: A brilliant, creative 16-year-old





Family Technology Journey


00:17:54 - First phone at 11: Setting boundaries that seemed reasonable


00:20:20 - Roblox monitoring: "I thought I was covering all bases"


00:22:39 - The anime friend: Witnessing grooming without recognizing it


00:29:16 - Instagram discovery: Multiple accounts, hidden personas


00:35:40 - TikTok emergence: 2500 followers and growing concern





Crisis Escalation


01:15:24 - First self-harm incident: Text from bathroom


01:18:47 - 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 attempt


01:25:51 - Discovery of 764 messaging: "Culprit" carved into chest





Understanding 764


00:49:22 - How 764 operates: Love bombing to extortion


00:51:56 - The protection trap: Kids protecting parents from death threats


00:55:55 - Culprit's phone calls: Predator contacting Jason directly


01:11:53 - 764 origins: Bill Cadenhead and grooming guidebooks


01:30:34 - Self-harm bucket list: Gamification of suffering





System Failures


00:45:35 - Schools enabling access: Kids exchanging favors for internet


01:33:41 - Protection order: How predators weaponize authorities


01:37:03 - Forced removal from home: System playing into predator's plan





Critical Insights & Solutions


00:42:39 - Timeline: 3-6 months from grooming to full control


01:47:05 - Suicide as #2 cause of youth death


01:51:30 - "Extortion is attempted murder"


02:18:43 - Core solution: No phones in bedrooms


00:46:54 - Essential reading: "The Anxious Generation"


03:02:44 - Meeting kids with curiosity, not judgment


03:06:28 - The Aunt Becky example: True curiosity

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

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

Family IT Guy