As parents, older siblings, or guardians, we might think of online games as a way for children to have fun and pass the time. However, these platforms can also expose young users to risks beyond the games themselves.
According to Utusan Malaysia, terrorist groups have been targeting children and teenagers aged 12 to 15 through the popular gaming platform Roblox, according to former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Recruitment tactics shift to the digital space
Ayob Khan explained that extremist groups have shifted from recruiting young people through face-to-face meetings to reaching them in online spaces. He said children and teenagers may first be approached through popular games like Roblox before being drawn into private chat groups, where they are exposed to extremist ideologies.
“We have detected children aged 12, 14, and 15 being recruited through the game Roblox. There, they are groomed and trained to execute terrorist attacks,” Ayob Khan said during the Mawlid Perdana 6.0 Convention at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
He also urged the public not to underestimate the threat of radicalisation, citing the 2024 attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor as an example of its potential consequences.
He added that although groups like Daesh have weakened globally, their ideologies continue to spread through modern digital platforms.
The need for vigilant parental supervision & preventative measures
According to Ayob Khan, the Internal Security Act (ISA), which has since been repealed, previously allowed authorities to take action against individuals spreading extremist ideologies without having to wait for other processes that could delay intervention.
“If the ISA still existed, we could take action. There would be no need to wait for the religious authorities. We carried out many operations to arrest those spreading deviant ideologies.
“Of course, many political speakers claimed that the ISA was oppressive and so on, but it was the most effective law for dealing with militant elements,” he said.
Have you ever noticed suspicious interactions or strange chat groups while monitoring your younger family members’ online gaming? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: M’sian Gamers May See Stricter Guidelines on Gachas, Loot Boxes & More Under Proposed Gaming Subcode
