Australian Authorities Monitoring Children as Young as 12 for Online Radicalisation Spike
Australia’s intelligence agency is warning that the community should be vigilant as more young people are being radicalised online.
Socially isolated young Australians are being targeted for online radicalisation, according to research from a multinational intelligence agency.
This marks the first joint analysis of youth radicalisation by The Five Eyes along with law enforcement agencies.
The report expressed growing concerns about the online radicalisation of minors and their involvement in terrorist activities.
Teen Planned Attack
In one case study, a 16-year-old encouraged their online extremist community to prepare for a war to defend the white race, advocating for violent actions like mass killings, live-streaming shootings on social media, and seeking assistance in bomb-making.
This teen had minimal real-world connections and primarily interacted within the online sphere.
Ultimately, the minor was sentenced to 18 months in prison with a 14-month non-parole period.
School Shooting Planned
In another case, a 14-year-old consumed extremist ideology, idolizing terrorists, and planned a school shooting after posting related content on Snapchat.
During a search warrant, authorities discovered the teen owned tactical gear, including a vest and helmet, as well as drawings of an extremist nature.
The minor received a two-year good behavior bond, 12 months probation, and support from a case manager.
Youth Numbers Rising
According to Mike Burgess, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), every terror incident in Australia in 2024 involved a young individual.
Extremists are leveraging social media platforms like Roblox and Discord to recruit and radicalise young people, as highlighted in various studies across The Five Eyes nations.
The report stresses the potential for minors to engage in extremist activities similar to adults.
ASIO’s Burgess emphasized the critical need for parents, teachers, and frontline workers to identify early signs of radicalisation among youths.
