KEEPING CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE FROM RADICALISATION and EXTREMISM
(This is a guide for parents, so please share it immediately before another child falls into this trap)
Fight against radicalisation and extremism leading to terrorism should start by the detection of early symbols of radicalisation and initiation of corrective steps at the family level. It is the fundamental responsibility of the family and by not doing so they expose not only their family but the entire humanity to the vulnerabilities of terrorism born out of extremism.
Seeing changes in your child:
The list of warning signs below is intended as a guide. We all know that teenage years are an exciting but challenging time in which young people develop their identities, judgment and critical thinking skills and form important relationships. As a parent you will be best placed to recognise when changes to your child’s behaviour feel out of character. You should have confidence in your instincts if something feels wrong.
A. Attitudes and Opinions:
- Argumentativeness or aggression, and an unwillingness to listen to/consider points of view which contradict their own
- Refusal to engage with, or being abusive to, peers who are different to themselves. This could include differences in race, religion, gender or sexuality
- Susceptibility to conspiracy theories and a feeling of persecution
B. Changes in behaviour and peer group:
- Distancing themselves from friends and peer groups, both online and offline
- Recent and rapid conversion to a new religion, perhaps with an insistence on a strict set of rules governing everyday life
- A significant change of appearance/clothing and/or behaviour
- Rejection of activities they used to enjoy
C. Secrecy:
- Excessive time spent online or on mobile phones, and secretiveness or reluctance to discuss what they are doing
- Changes in online identity, including social media profile image or name. Some will even have two parallel online profiles, one their ‘normal’ or old self, the other an extremist identity, often in another name
D. Support for extremist ideologies and groups:
- Expressions of sympathy with the ideology of extremist groups or justification of their action
- Expressions of sympathy or understanding for other young people who have joined or attempted to join these groups
- Accessing extremist material online, including violent extremist websites, especially those with a social networking element (e.g. Facebook, Twitter)
- Possessing or accessing other forms of extremist literature
- Being in contact with extremist recruiters
- Joining or seeking to join extremist organisations