Urgent warning for parents as horrifying trend among kids emerges online

Parents have been issued an urgent warning after a horrifying trend no child should ever be exposed to emerged online.

Parents have been warned against giving their children certain technology ahead of Christmas, as a growing exposure to extremist material and propaganda has led to an increase in youth radicalisation.

According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), there has been a worrying increase in youth radicalisation fuelled by extremist propaganda videos, instruction manuals, far-right extremist material, misinformation and fake news shared on platforms including TikTok, Discord and Telegram.

The AFP has raised concerns over an increase in youth radicalisation driven by social media. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The majority of the content shared was violent and negative imagery on social media, forums and end-to-end encryption messaging platforms.

According to the AFP, these are used as a tactic to heighten the emotional response from the viewer and incite violence, group action or terrorism.

“Police believe extremist groups are targeting vulnerable and young individuals online for radicalisation, as they are more susceptible to being influenced,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said.

“We know that these extremists are preying on children in the same way that child sex offenders attempt to groom children.”

Parents have been warned to watch out for signs of radicalisation among children. Picture NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Between January 2020 and December 18, 2024, the AFP and the JCTT launched investigations into 37 people under the age 17.

The youngest offender was only 12 years old, the AFP said.

Of these investigations, 57 per cent of the individuals were charged with Commonwealth or state-based offences.

“We are seeing more children accessing extremist material and this increases the risk of those children being radicalised and joining terrorist organisations or engaging in acts of terrorism,” Mr Nutt said.

He said combating youth radicalisation required a combined effort from law enforcement, government departments – including health and education – the private sector, academia, industry and the community.

“Family and friends play an incredibly important role in providing support to young people who may be vulnerable to online radicalisation,” he said.

“We urge parents and carers to encourage conversation with their children about online safety and to be aware of what their children are doing online, including being aware of any signs of radicalisation to help support them.”

The AFP said a combined effort was required to tackle youth radicalisation. Picture: Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

There are signs of radicalisation to watch out for, including:

• Distancing from usual friends and family

• An increase in extremist rhetoric

• Using hateful or emotionally charged language

• Developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues

• Displaying extreme reaction to certain news or politics

• Spending increasing amount of time on online fringe forums

If you believe your child is in immediate danger, call triple-0 or local police on 131 444.

If you suspect your child is being radicalised online or in person, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

You can anonymously report an incident via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Urgent warning for parents as horrifying trend among kids emerges online