Five Eyes nations warn of 'shocking' rise in youth radicalisation
In short:
Security and policing agencies from the Five Eyes nations are warning of a rise in youth radicalisation
The agencies say by the time young people come to their attention, it is usually too late.
What's next?
The Five Eyes agencies have called for a "whole-of-society response" to combat youth radicalisation.
Australia and its international Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network has taken the unprecedented step of jointly warning of a "shocking" rise in youth radicalisation, while urging teachers, parents and health workers to help combat the threat.
Overnight security and law enforcement agencies from Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand released a first-of-its-kind analysis paper which includes case studies from all five nations.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess noted that about 20 per cent of his agency's priority counterterrorism cases now involve young people.
"In every one of the terrorist attacks, disruptions and suspected terrorist incidents in Australia this year, the alleged perpetrator was a young person," Mr Burgess said.
"As a parent, the numbers are shocking. As an intelligence officer, the numbers are sobering.
"Parents, teachers, health professionals and frontline workers need to understand and identify the early signs of radicalisation. Once ASIO and the [Australian Federal Police] get involved, it is usually too late — the young person is already in a dark and dangerous place."
In their document the Five Eyes nations suggest a "whole-of-society response" which urges parents, teachers, healthcare and social workers to be alert for any signs of radicalisation among young people, particularly online.
"We are increasingly concerned about the radicalisation of minors, and minors who support, plan or undertake terrorist activities," the analysis warns.
"Radicalised minors can pose the same credible terrorist threat as adults, and law enforcement and security agencies cannot address this issue alone."
Mike Burgess and Reece Kershaw have joined other Five Eyes agencies to warn of a rise in youth radicalisation. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said he was concerned by the increasing number of minors being investigated by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), which is comprised of federal and state police as well as ASIO.
"Within the JCTT youth caseload, we are witnessing the same extremist propaganda videos across multiple unrelated investigations, and this suggests that links exist in the online environment across platforms such as Discord, Telegram and TikTok," Commissioner Kershaw said.
"A priority for the AFP is to limit the accessibility of violent extremist material and promote education and awareness for those in protective roles, including parents, educators and health care providers, to maximise prevention and early intervention options."
Last week the Albanese government passed legislation to enforce a minimum age of 16 years for social media, saying regulation was needed to protect young people from online harm.
In April a 16-year-old boy was charged with a terror offence after allegedly stabbing a bishop in south-west Sydney, during a church service which was being live streamed online.