FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent Jacob Griffin discusses the online hidden dangers targeting children and young adults

https://newschannel20.com/news/local/online-games-pose-hidden-dangers-as-kids-face-extremist-recruitment#

Don't miss this important information that can help to protect

children and young adults in your community!

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — Popular online games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft are providing children with entertainment and a sense of safety indoors, but they may also expose them to dangerous influences, according to Special Agent Jake Griffin from the Springfield office.

"It's a child's game. It's meant for kids between six and 12. They're online. They're not on the corner, they're not out there getting in trouble," Griffin said.

However, he warned that children playing these games might unknowingly interact with domestic terrorists.

Special Agent Griffin explained that while most online chats are innocuous, discussing topics like football, some conversations can quickly shift to extremist ideologies. "Kids right here in central Illinois are first exposed to subtle, maybe subliminal messages... Then are moved to a different instant messaging platform... And exposed to extremely violent dehumanizing videos and ideas," he said.

The Springfield field office has been investigating these activities for the past year. Griffin emphasized the urgency of reaching potential victims or suspects before it's too late, noting that children as young as six are being recruited into extremist groups online.

Griffin described how these groups manipulate young people by taking an interest in their lives and making them feel important.

"We've interviewed a lot of juvenile victim subjects that have been in these groups, and they've said, yeah, I didn't leave even though it would have been as easy as just deleting the app, leaving the channel, what have you, because I had a fear of missing out. Or these are my friends now," he said.

The investigation continues as authorities work to protect children from these hidden dangers lurking in online gaming communities. There are parent controls for each game mentioned, click on word to access their policies: RobloxMinecraft Fortnite

Parents won't be suspected of it, because either they don't know there's a chatting application to that, or they think it's hey, it's a child's game. Games that can target kids as young as 6 years old. You might think they're chatting with their friends from school. But that may not be the case.

Griffin says "You can chat with others on these game platforms. And they'll start to chat with them. They'll friend up a child, and then they'll move them to another chatting application. Doesn't really matter what the chatting application online forum is as long as this IM type system where they'll start to heavily expose them to the ideology.

If you're wondering how to stop these predators from getting their hooks into your child, looking over your kid's shoulder may not be enough. Monitor who your child is actually talking to, not just the activity. take an interest in your child, get them with peers in person. Some warning signs include: Sudden fight to get off games, devices, internet. Your child has a fear of missing out. But, as important as devices have become in our lives, the FBI says it's important for your kids to spend plenty of time in the real world.

We've seen a huge increase of people getting better when they start to meet with their peers in person. I'd encourage you to enroll your child in some type of group. Doesn't have to be sports, but just something that gets them in person with people their age, so they don't feel like they need to gravitate towards those online groups.

Here's a link to the a one sheet by the FBI with ways to tell if your kid is a victim and how to help. You can submit tips to the FBI by clicking here.

If you or your family has experience with these nihilistic groups and you want to share your story with us, News@wics.com