World · Malaysia Bureau
ISIS recruiting children through online games, warns ex-deputy IGP
Former deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan has raised alarm over ISIS's tactics to radicalise minors through digital platforms. Police have recently arrested children as young as 12 who were allegedly recruited and groomed to carry out terrorist attacks.
LSN Malaysia ·
The extremist group is exploiting online gaming environments to identify and recruit vulnerable young people, according to Ayob Khan's warning. Recent police operations have resulted in the arrest of children aged 12, 14 and 15 who authorities say were contacted through these digital channels and subsequently trained to conduct terrorist activities.
The development underscores growing concerns about how terrorist organisations are adapting their recruitment strategies to target younger demographics in the region. By utilising platforms frequented by children, ISIS operatives have been able to establish contact with minors and gradually expose them to extremist ideology without the awareness of parents or guardians.
The arrested children were allegedly taught operational tactics and indoctrinated with extremist propaganda before being directed toward carrying out attacks. Ayob Khan's disclosure has prompted fresh scrutiny of online safety measures and the need for enhanced monitoring of gaming platforms and social media channels commonly used by minors.
The matter highlights the dual challenge facing law enforcement: disrupting terrorist recruitment networks while protecting children from digital exploitation. Authorities in Malaysia have indicated they are intensifying efforts to identify and intercept such recruitment attempts before they progress to the planning stages of potential attacks.