Young people are at risk of being ‘radicalised in their own bedrooms’ by extremists, warn police. And as they are now online more than ever, knowing who your child is talking to – and what they are watching or reading – has never been so important. 

Not only is extremist material being shared on popular social media sites like TikTok and Instagram, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) say radicalisers are also targeting children through multi-player online gaming, YouTube and chat forums. 

With young people spending nearly two days a week online, it’s no surprise grooming and radicalisation is on the rise.

Working with other partners, the police protect vulnerable people from being groomed by extremists. They do this through a Home Office programme called Prevent, which is entirely voluntary and has helped support thousands of people to move away from extremism. 

CTP are concerned because 58% of all Prevent referrals were of young people aged 20 and under, with nearly half of those relating to children under the age 15.

Knowing how extremists target children before exploiting them is a vital step in keeping your child safe. CTP has developed ACT Early, a website for parents, friends and families who are concerned about loved ones at risk of radicalisation.

The safeguarding site is packed with tips on how to spot the signs your child is being radicalised, plus advice on how to talk to them about extremism. It also signposts other organisations that can help.

If you’re worried your child’s behaviour is intensifying you can also call the confidential National Police Prevent Advice Line and talk to specially trained officers about your concerns.

It can be hard reaching out for help, but the police are there to listen and to give advice. And if support is all that's needed, there’s often no need for the police to be involved at all. Instead it can be provided by your child’s school, doctor or a specialist mentor.

By spotting the signs, making the call and sharing your concerns early, you're actually protecting your child.

Could my child be at risk of radicalisation?

Anyone can be radicalised but young people can sometimes be at greater risk, especially if they are feeling isolated or like they don't belong.

ACT Early has tips on what to look out for, for example:

• Is your child withdrawing and talking out of character?
• Are they becoming secretive about what they are doing online?
• Are they becoming increasingly angry?

It can be hard to know if your child’s behaviour is just a phase or if it’s due to something else. But it’s really important to trust your instincts. If something just doesn’t feel right and you feel your child is at risk of being led down the path of extremism, it’s vital to act early and share your concerns.

You won’t be wasting the police’s time; they will listen and can help.

How do extremists target vulnerable young people online?

Radicalisers use social media sites like TikTok, Instagram and Twitter to find people who might be easily influenced and drawn into extremism. They look for young people, and adults, who could be vulnerable to being groomed.

While there isn’t one single route to radicalisation, there are some common factors the police often see that could make someone more vulnerable, including:

• Struggling with a sense of identity or belonging
• Being bullied
• Social isolation or exclusion
• Peer pressure
• Life change, for example going to college or parents splitting up
• Mental health issues
• Trauma, for example someone close to them dying.

How do extremists groom people online?

A radicaliser will try to connect with a child on social media, or will join in a forum chat posing as a ‘friend’, and convince them they can help or have a solution to how they are feeling.

When they’ve built a relationship, the radicaliser will then draw them down the path of extremism. This could be through:

1. Sharing extreme material online

Your child might be sent extreme content online or come across it through online searches.

They could then find new search terms, which expose them to even more extreme content, websites and chat forums. A radicaliser will then try and connect with them on these forums.

2. Online grooming

Extremists will strike up a conversation on gaming platforms, chat forums or social media for example. They’ll try and get close to your child before asking them to chat privately on encrypted messaging apps.

This can be quite a quick process, sometimes happening in a matter of weeks.

If you’re worried about changes in your child’s behaviour and you think they are showing signs they're being groomed, reach out for help.

The brother of one teenager who was radicalised says: 'Don’t ignore the small changes because by the time you realise the danger it will be a bigger problem to deal with. Just start the conversation. Trust your instincts.'

3. Online gaming

Radicalisers use online multi-player gaming as a hook to draw in a vulnerable person

In a game, players always battle against some kind of opposition. Extremists use this to their advantage and introduce ideologies or a ‘them versus us’ mindset.

Because the game is detached from reality, a child might not realise they are being ‘recruited’ and influenced by extremists.

We’ve got all you need to know about radicalisation here.

Where can I go for help if I’m worried my child might be at risk?

As parents we are always vigilant to potential dangers that could harm our children. You want to keep your child safe at all times, and that includes when they are on social media or playing games.

The threat of radicalisation is a harm you should be just as aware of as about other online dangers, including sexting and sexual exploitation. If you’re worried they are being targeted by extremists, the earlier you get support for your child, the better. 

The ACT Early website has a list of organisations you can contact, or you can phone the National Police Prevent Advice Line on 0800 011 3764 for confidential support and advice.

You are not getting your child into trouble.

Just because you contact police, doesn't mean they'll be arrested or have a criminal record. Instead, officers working alongside other organisations are there to help your child and give them support before it goes too far.