Source : Perth Now news
Young Australians are being moved to violent extremism in a matter of days as the speed and scale of radicalisation accelerate.
For years, terrorists and extremists have used the internet to target young people and convince them to plan and carry out violent acts.
But the recent use of social media, gaming platforms, online forums, the dark web and private group chats has allowed bad actors to more quickly and effectively radicalise people, the Australian Federal Police warns.
“Where it used to take months or years to radicalise a person, in some cases, it’s happening in days,” AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett told senate estimates on Thursday.
“We see the speed and scale of radicalisation becoming one of our most significant challenges, especially when it comes to young people.”
The problem is not exclusive to Australia.
Security agencies internationally are battling growing radicalisation and the commissioner has said the issue will take the spotlight when she attends a meeting with counterparts from fellow Five Eyes nations – the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand – in June.
The countries are exploring the possibility of allying with tech companies to use artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to combat radicalisation, particularly targeting young people.
Of the 32 people charged with violent extremism material offences by Australia’s joint counter-terrorism team, 19 were no older than 17, and some were as young as 13.
The federal government has pledged $74 million over the next two years to establish a national Counter Terrorism Online Centre to address the issue.
Ms Barrett said it would allow police to identify and disrupt radicalisation earlier and protect vulnerable young people.
It will provide an early warning system for Australia’s joint counter-terrorism teams about hate groups and others who might be using the internet to incite violence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said his government would engage “in good faith” with states’ requests for more federal funding for deradicalisation.
“Every state and territory wants more money for everything,” Mr Albanese said on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing on Thursday.
“I won’t discuss issues related to national security on your program, frankly.”
NSW, which is managing the processing of several women returned from Syrian detention camps, made a specific request for money to support health checks and reintegration, federal government officials confirmed at a Senate inquiry on Wednesday.
The Albanese government is yet to issue a response to the request.
