Canadian Security Intelligence Service reports a concerning rise in minors involved in terrorism investigations, highlighting the influence of online extremism and the need for early intervention.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has revealed a troubling trend: nearly one in ten of its terrorism investigations involves individuals under the age of 18. This alarming statistic, driven largely by online extremism, was highlighted by CSIS Director Daniel Rogers during a rare public address on Thursday.
Since 2014, Canada has witnessed nearly two dozen violent extremist attacks, resulting in 29 fatalities and at least 60 injuries, according to Rogers. He emphasized that the involvement of minors in these investigations is particularly concerning, as it reflects a broader issue of radicalization among youth.
In August, a minor was arrested in Montreal for allegedly planning an attack on behalf of the terrorist group Daesh. This incident underscores the potential dangers posed by young individuals who may be influenced by extremist ideologies. Just months prior, a 15-year-old from the Edmonton area was charged with a terrorism-related offense after investigators from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) expressed fears that the teen was on the verge of committing serious violence linked to a transnational violent online network known as COM/764.
Rogers also noted that two 15-year-olds were arrested in Ottawa for allegedly conspiring to carry out a mass casualty attack targeting the Jewish community in Canada’s capital in late 2023 and early 2024. He remarked, “Clearly, radicalized youth can cause the same harms as radicalized adults, but the societal supports for youth may help us catch radicalization early and prevent it.”
He further stated that the tragic statistics would likely have been worse without the proactive measures taken by CSIS and its law enforcement partners. In December, CSIS collaborated with the RCMP and intelligence agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to release a joint public report addressing the growing issue of youth involvement in violent extremism. This report aims to provide guidance to parents, guardians, and community members on how to identify early signs of radicalization and intervene before it escalates.
“Since 2022, CSIS has been involved in the disruption of no fewer than 24 violent extremist actions, each resulting in arrests or terrorism peace bond charges,” Rogers stated. He highlighted that in 2024, CSIS played a crucial role in thwarting two plots inspired by Daesh. In one instance, a father and son were reportedly in the advanced stages of planning an attack in the Toronto area. In another case, an individual was arrested before allegedly attempting to illegally enter the United States to target members of the Jewish community in New York.
Rogers emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “In these examples, and in many others I can’t discuss publicly, our counter-terrorism teams have partnered with law enforcement and saved lives.”
He attributed the rise in radicalization among youth to factors such as eroding social cohesion, increasing polarization, and significant global events that create a conducive environment for extremist ideologies to flourish. “Many who turn to violence radicalize exclusively online, often without direction from others,” Rogers explained. “They use technology to do so secretly and anonymously, seriously challenging the ability of our investigators to keep pace and to identify and prevent acts of violence.”
Additionally, Rogers noted that CSIS has been actively collecting intelligence and defending against transnational repression, which has recently included a shift in focus towards the actions of Iranian intelligence services and their proxies. “In particularly alarming cases over the last year, we’ve had to reprioritize our operations to counter the actions of Iranian intelligence services and their proxies who have targeted individuals they perceive as threats to their regime,” he said. “In more than one case, this involved detecting, investigating, and disrupting potentially lethal threats against individuals in Canada.”
As the landscape of extremism continues to evolve, the need for vigilance and proactive measures becomes increasingly critical. The rise of online radicalization among youth presents unique challenges that require a concerted effort from communities, families, and authorities to address effectively.
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