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Child radicalisation: NSPCC to advise concerned parents Child radicalisation: NSPCC to advise concerned parents
(about 3 hours later)
A charity has trained its counsellors to help parents who fear their children are being radicalised.A charity has trained its counsellors to help parents who fear their children are being radicalised.
The NSPCC said its existing support line could now advise parents worried about extremists grooming a child.The NSPCC said its existing support line could now advise parents worried about extremists grooming a child.
It said counsellors had been trained to spot warning signs such as children isolating themselves or "talking as if from a scripted speech".It said counsellors had been trained to spot warning signs such as children isolating themselves or "talking as if from a scripted speech".
Recent terror attacks "highlighted the growing problem of individuals being influenced by extremism", it added.Recent terror attacks "highlighted the growing problem of individuals being influenced by extremism", it added.
The charity said it had already started getting calls from people worried about the problem. The charity said it had already started getting calls to its free, 24-hour helpline from people worried about the problem.
One caller said: "I'm concerned that someone is trying to force a young boy into having extreme beliefs. He has started acting differently recently and has become more withdrawn." 'Became aggressive'
'Inappropriate questions' One caller told counsellors: "I'm concerned that someone is trying to force a young boy into having extreme beliefs. He has started acting differently recently and has become more withdrawn."
The training for NSPCC counsellors explained how extremist recruiters "befriend vulnerable targets, feed them ideologies and - in the worst-case scenario - persuade them to commit terrorist attacks". Another caller said: "I'm worried about a child I know.
The charity said potential targets often had low self-esteem, were members of gangs, or were victims of bullying or discrimination.
Radicals tell them they can be "part of something special, and brainwash them into cutting themselves off from their friends and family", it added.
Signs which may "hint at a child being radicalised" include increased anger, becoming disrespectful and asking "inappropriate questions", the charity said.
Case study
"I'm worried about a child I know," one caller told counsellors.
"I fear that they may start holding extremist beliefs because I've heard her saying some worrying things."I fear that they may start holding extremist beliefs because I've heard her saying some worrying things.
"She's also showing changes in behaviour and appears to be more aggressive towards her parents."She's also showing changes in behaviour and appears to be more aggressive towards her parents.
"I'm not sure how to approach this as I know the family well... I don't think staying silent is an option in the current climate.""I'm not sure how to approach this as I know the family well... I don't think staying silent is an option in the current climate."
The training for NSPCC counsellors explains how extremist recruiters "befriend vulnerable targets, feed them ideologies and - in the worst-case scenario - persuade them to commit terrorist attacks".
The charity said potential targets often had low self-esteem, were members of gangs, or were victims of bullying or discrimination.
Radicals tell them they can be "part of something special, and brainwash them into cutting themselves off from their friends and family", it added.
According to the charity, signs which may "hint at a child being radicalised" include children:
'I felt like a traitor'
One teenage girl from east London described how she became drawn into long intense discussions on the internet which led her to want to run away to Syria.
"I saw so much violence that it seemed to lose its effect," she said. "Everything merged into one. I can't believe I'm saying that now.
"My primary reason to want to go to Syria was to join Islamic State. I believed this was the best way to be a good Muslim.
"I believed the West were responsible for the suffering of Muslims particularly in Gaza where innocent people and especially children were killed. I felt a traitor to my faith.
"It was easy to maintain this divide between my real life and my online life as no-one knew me in real life.
"Although I ended up trying to go to Syria - and it doesn't get more real than that - I also think that perhaps in my head there was a distinction between things happening with IS and things happening here."
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: "The fact that a young person might hold extreme or radical views is not a safeguarding issue in itself.NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: "The fact that a young person might hold extreme or radical views is not a safeguarding issue in itself.
"But when young people are groomed for extremist purposes and encouraged to commit acts that could hurt themselves or others, then it becomes abuse. "But when young people are groomed for extremist purposes and encouraged to commit acts that could hurt themselves or others, then it becomes abuse."
"That's why we've trained our counsellors to cope with this fresh danger to young people."
The charity's counsellors can also advise parents on how to talk to children who are anxious about terrorism or upset by recent attacks, such as those in France and Germany.The charity's counsellors can also advise parents on how to talk to children who are anxious about terrorism or upset by recent attacks, such as those in France and Germany.
The helpline number is 0808 800 5000.