Forum: Radicalisation at such a young age is a warning bell
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I refer to the article, “Singaporean boy, 14, given ISA restriction order; first self-radicalisation case from mixed ideologies” (Sept 9).
The news that a 14-year-old Singaporean boy has been issued with an Internal Security Act (ISA) Restriction Order for self-radicalisation should shake us out of complacency. It is not just his age that is worrying, but also the fact that his beliefs were drawn from a mix of violent Islamist and far-right ideologies. That a teenager can admire both Osama bin Laden and Adolf Hitler tells us how confused yet dangerous online radicalisation has become.
This is not an imported problem that happens “somewhere else”. It is happening here, in our homes, schools and neighbourhoods, through the screens in our children’s hands where algorithms funnel young users towards content that glamorises violence and hatred.
Too often we fall back on soft words such as “awareness”, “resilience” and “support”. These are necessary but insufficient. Parents and educators must be willing to have difficult conversations, calling extremist ideas what they truly are – poison. Shielding the young from such truths will not protect them; it will only leave them defenceless when radical narratives come knocking.
Schools must also help students think critically about the world they live in. Critical thinking is no longer optional; it is survival.
At 14, a child should be preparing for exams, exploring hobbies and discovering how to contribute positively to society.
This news is a sobering reminder that we cannot afford to take a wait-and-see approach. Radicalisation at such a young age is a warning bell. If we fail to act, we risk losing more of our children to poisoned dreams.
Irwan Jamil
