Every parent should be aware of the signs for online radicalisation as the Australian Federal Police issues an urgent warning about a surge in youth extremism.
Dr Josh Roose, an expert in radicalisation from Deakin University, told 7NEWS teenagers are spending up to 30 hours a week online, creating unprecedented opportunities for exposure to extremist material.
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“We’re talking going home from school, jumping straight onto those devices, but also very late at night,” Roose said.
“They’re entering into forums, games and so on that the vast majority of parents have no idea what’s actually happening behind the wall.”
The expert said even seemingly innocent platforms like Roblox have become forums for exchanging extremist material, particularly late at night when parents are asleep.
Roose warned radicalisation can occur rapidly, with young people potentially exposed to extremist content within minutes of going online.
The AFP has highlighted a concerning trend called “salad bar extremism”, where teenagers pick and choose elements from different extremist ideologies.
“They might take the extreme, like the Brenton Tarrant video, but they might also be accessing Islamic State beheading videos at the same time,” Roose explained.
“So very difficult for authorities to understand what’s going on.”
What parents can do
Roose recommended parents remove devices from children’s rooms before bedtime to prevent unsupervised overnight access.
Concerningly, the problem affects families across all socioeconomic backgrounds.
“It’s not so much about the socioeconomic status of the families, it’s about the children having that unfettered access to technology,” Roose said.
