SINGAPORE, 3 April 2025: Two Singaporean teenagers, aged 15 and 17, have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for becoming self-radicalised online—raising serious concerns about the growing threat of digital extremism among youth.
The 15-year-old girl, the first female youth to face action under the ISA, became a supporter of the Islamic State (ISIS). She was influenced by online propaganda, pledged allegiance to an ISIS chatbot, and even planned to travel to Syria. She received a Restriction Order, which limits her online activity and movement.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old boy was radicalised by far-right ideologies. Influenced by hate content online, he planned to attack mosques in Singapore and aimed to kill at least 100 Muslims. He was issued a Detention Order and remains in custody.
These cases highlight how extremist groups exploit the internet to spread harmful ideologies, especially among vulnerable youth. Since 2015, 17 youths in Singapore have been radicalised online. The government uses a mix of early intervention, community outreach through SGSecure, and rehabilitation via the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) to counter the threat.
Authorities urge families and friends to report early warning signs like obsessive browsing of extremist content or hate speech. As Minister K. Shanmugam said, “Reporting early can save lives.”
