<\/p>\nonline platforms have been pivotal in facilitating the process<\/p>\n
<\/a>.<\/p>\n
As they are digital natives, youth are more susceptible to being exposed to and engaging with extremist materials online, said the department.<\/p>\n
Their developing sense of identity and cognitive skills, such as a lack of critical thinking and information evaluation skills, also make them more vulnerable to extremist influences, it added.<\/p>\n
The radicalisation journey for Hamzah, who was 18 when he was detained by ISD in 2015, bore striking similarities to Khalid\u2019s case.<\/p>\n
In 2011, keen to learn more about Islam, the teenager went online and found the teachings of Al-Awlaki and Zakir Naik, the latter an Indian-Muslim preacher who has been banned in several countries. <\/p>\n
Driven by a desire to belong, he also became drawn to ISIS after watching a documentary that depicted people living happily under the terror group\u2019s so-called Islamic caliphate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were together as brothers fighting for Islam, and I thought I was missing that kind of sense of brotherhood,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As he watched videos by radical preachers, Hamzah said the YouTube algorithm would recommend him more such content, to the point where he was watching up to six hours of such propaganda every day.<\/p>\n
He became a staunch ISIS supporter and began gathering information on travelling to Syria to carry out armed jihad as part of the group. Hamzah planned to use his school\u2019s bursary money to fly to Turkey, then cross the border into Syria to join an ISIS training camp. He was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in May 2015.<\/p>\n
Looking back, both former detainees said there were warning signs, but these were not picked up by their family members.<\/p>\n
Hamzah recounted trying to convince his friends and family that what ISIS was doing was legitimate. He also raised the issue of armed jihad with his family, including his mother, \u201cjust to see what\u2019s the reaction\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said (true) jihad is taking care of your mother… I think she took it lightly, that I\u2019m not that serious,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Khalid\u2019s mother said her son also mentioned wanting to participate in armed jihad, but she thought he was joking.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause everything else in his behaviour seemed normal, it did not occur to me then that he would seriously consider going overseas,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
ISD said the majority of youth it investigated for potential radicalisation had exhibited early warning signs to their family and friends, such as by expressing support for terrorist groups and the use of violence.<\/p>\n
Family members and friends are thus best placed to notice suspicious changes in behaviour, and should quickly report the matter to the authorities so the youth can receive timely intervention while society is kept safe, it added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose assessed to be in the early stages of radicalisation or at risk of radicalisation might not be dealt with under the ISA but through other intervention measures, such as counselling,\u201d said the department.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly those found to pose a serious or imminent security threat will be issued with an order of detention or a restriction order (RO) under the ISA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Khalid, who was released on an RO in April 2020, urged young people who come across radical videos online to speak to their families and to discuss religious matters with accredited religious teachers here.<\/p>\n
Now a father of a young boy, he said: \u201cI will enrol my son only in legitimate schools of Islamic knowledge in Singapore, and make sure he is focused on his studies and future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hamzah, whose RO lapsed in August 2021 and who is now a marketing executive, urged people to speak up if they see a sudden behavioural change in their friend or family member.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s better to actually take action \u2013 step in, and even report to the authorities,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause even though I was arrested, for me it was a second chance.\u201d<\/p>\n