Children are increasingly being exposed to violent extremist material online on platforms such as Discord, Telegram and TikTok, prompting warnings about tech Christmas gifts, authorities said. Federal police confirmed that over the past four years, authorities have investigated 37 children as young as 12, with more than half charged. Content included extremist propaganda and hate speech, as well as instruction manuals, misinformation, fake news and far-right extremist material.
AFP is urging parents to be mindful of what their children might be exposed to in tech gifts they receive at Christmas. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The posts, mostly visual content, depict violence, are used to provoke emotional responses from followers and often incite collective action, violence or terrorism. With teenagers likely to receive tech gifts at Christmas, AFP is urging parents to be mindful of what their children are exposed to over the holidays.
Signs your kid may be being radicalised online
- They distance themselves from their usual friends and family
- They make more extreme statements or express propaganda
- They use hateful or emotional language
- They are interested in conspiracy theories or controversial social issues
- They have extreme reactions to certain news or politics
- They spend more and more time on fringe forums on the Internet
Extremists prey on children in the same way that child sex offenders try to groom them. (Getty) AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter-Terrorism and Special Investigations Stephen Nutt said exposure to extremist material increases the risk of being radicalised. “We know that these extremists prey on children in the same way that child sex offenders try to groom them,” Nutt said. “We urge parents and guardians to help them by encouraging them to talk to their children about online safety and to understand their behaviour online, including watching out for any signs of radicalisation.” He said combating youth radicalisation required a whole-of-society effort, including law enforcement, governments, schools, health, industry, academia and communities. “Family and friends play a vital role in providing support to young people who may be vulnerable to online radicalisation.” From the beginning of 2024, it will be an offence to possess, control or use the internet to access, share, publicise, promote or solicit violent extremist material. The maximum penalty is five years’ imprisonment. If the material is linked to acts of terrorism, the penalty increases to 25 years’ imprisonment.