A man from Leeds has pleaded guilty to encouraging an American's suicide during a video call.
Dylan Phelan, 21, goaded Travis Dyer into shooting himself in October 2024 as the pair spoke on the online platform Discord.
Mr Dyer, 21, from Louisiana in America, was known to be vulnerable and struggling with his mental health at the time.
At Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday, Phelan pleaded guilty to encouraging suicide.
He had already admitted possessing indecent and extreme images.
Phelan was released on conditional bailed to be sentenced on 22 May.
The judge told him: "Prepare yourself for custody".
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Phelan attended Elland Road Police Station in Leeds with his parents in March last year to report his involvement in Mr Dyer's death.
He disclosed he had taken part in a video call, with two others based in America, during which Mr Dyer was encouraged to take his own life with a shotgun, which he did while the video call was ongoing.
A police investigation revealed Mr Dyer was subjected to sustained and serious encouragement to self-harm by members of the online group.
In his police interview, Phelan said he had become "drawn to the darker groups" on Discord and "accepted his words were a factor in the suicide".
Police also found an indecent image of a child and other extreme pornography images on Phelan's devices.
'
Travie, we miss you'
Mr Dyer lost his mother and younger sister in a car crash, 10 years before his own death.
A tribute posted by his great-grandmother said: “Travie, we miss you. Needless to say, I’m so beside myself. I don’t know what to say or how to say it.
“Sweetheart, you were so unfortunate to have had so many tragedies in your young life. It was totally unfair for you.”
Alex Johnson, senior prosecutor for the CPS said: “This was a deeply disturbing case involving the exploitation of a vulnerable young man through an online platform.
“Dylan Phelan did not merely witness what happened – he actively participated in goading Travis Dyer to take his own life, intending that he would do so.
“Online spaces are not beyond the reach of the law. Encouraging self-harm or suicide, whether in person or through digital platforms, is a serious criminal offence.
“Our thoughts remain with Travis Dyer’s family and friends. We hope that today’s conviction brings them some measure of justice.”