Shem destroyed the network (4)
I believe the answer is:
mesh
'the network' is the definition.
('mesh' can be a synonym of 'network')
'shem destroyed' is the wordplay.
'destroyed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'shem' is an anagram of 'MESH'.
(Other definitions for mesh that I've seen before include "Interweave - netting" , "Piece of netting" , "Get in harmony with" , "Network fabric - engage with it" , "Interlaced structure" .)