On social media, a bullied teen found fame among child predators worldwide

🌈 Abstract

The article tells the story of Bradley Cadenhead, a teenager from Stephenville, Texas who transformed from a bullied and isolated youth into a notorious online predator. It explores how Cadenhead used the social media platform Discord to cultivate a domineering online persona, build a global following among sadists, and convince victims to share explicit images and then blackmail them. The article also examines how Discord failed to stop Cadenhead's abusive activities despite repeated reports, and the broader debate around accountability for misconduct on digital platforms.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Cadenhead's Troubled Upbringing

1. What were the key events and challenges in Cadenhead's early life that contributed to his later transformation?

• His parents separated when he was 10 years old, with his mother moving out and beginning to "drink a lot and party"
• He faced constant bullying in middle school and was seen as an "easy target"
• He began cutting himself and became fascinated with videos of torture after his parents' separation
• He rejected his religious upbringing and began disrupting Bible study classes
• He was charged with making terroristic threats in 8th grade and was placed on probation

2. How did Cadenhead's family and school try to get him help for his mental health issues?

• His father took him to the emergency room and found a mental health facility over 100 miles away, but Cadenhead was admitted and discharged after brief stays
• A psychological evaluation determined he had "disrupted mood dysregulation disorder" and was "affected by parental relationship distress"
• His mother took primary custody of him in 9th grade, but he stopped attending school after about a week due to anxiety

[02] Cadenhead's Online Predatory Behavior

1. How did Cadenhead use Discord to cultivate his online persona and abuse victims?

• He created private Discord servers dedicated to his perverse interests, attracting both victims and like-minded predators
• He easily evaded Discord's safeguards by creating new accounts when banned, mocking the authorities for failing to stop him
• He pressured victims, including a 10-year-old girl, to share explicit images and then blackmailed them into harming themselves or committing degrading acts

2. What was the scale and nature of Cadenhead's online criminal activities?

• He created a group called "764" that the FBI has said meets the definition of domestic terrorism
• He bragged about his "extortions" and was lauded as a "god" for his activities
• He collected large amounts of child pornography and used it to recruit predators and control victims

3. How did Discord respond to Cadenhead's activities on their platform?

• Discord said they took action against Cadenhead's accounts, shutting them down when they became aware of abusive or illegal activity
• However, the article states that each of Cadenhead's accounts was typically active for a day or less before the company took action

[03] Cadenhead's Sentencing and the Broader Implications

1. What was the outcome of Cadenhead's legal case?

• At age 19, Cadenhead was sentenced to 80 years in prison for possession of child pornography, which the prosecutor described as "one of those times" when we get to "look evil in the face"
• His current attorney is considering an appeal, citing "potential mental health issues"

2. How did the judge and others involved in the case view Cadenhead and his crimes?

• The judge told Cadenhead "There is something horribly wrong with you. Horribly."
• The director of community supervision and corrections said Cadenhead's online persona was no less dangerous than a predator on the street and was unsure if he could be trusted

3. What are the broader implications of the Cadenhead case for social media platforms and online safety?

• The case has unfolded amid a global debate over who should be held accountable for misconduct on digital platforms
• Similar predatory groups using Discord and other platforms have proliferated, posing a challenge for social media companies and law enforcement