Consider This from NPR: How Some Online Networks Target and Radicalize Kids

Release Date: August 7, 2025

The latest episode of NPR's Consider This delves into the alarming trend of online networks targeting and radicalizing children. Through the harrowing story of Dana and her son, the podcast uncovers how extremist groups exploit vulnerable youth, the challenges parents face, and the efforts of law enforcement and experts to combat this growing threat.

1. Introduction: A Troubling Shift

The episode opens with Dana's account of her son, once a well-rounded ninth grader managing his time effectively between music, art, and academics. However, the fall of 2023 marked a significant downturn as her son began retreating into his phone amidst personal upheavals, including bullying, the disintegration of a long-standing friend group, and his parents' separation.

Dana: "He plays music, he plays drums, he plays guitar, he sings, he draws, he writes, he reads. Like he had enough things to keep him busy otherwise."
— [00:05]

2. The Descent into Extremism

As Dana noticed her son's increasing isolation and self-harm, she implemented parental controls to restrict his online activity. Despite these measures, her son circumvented restrictions, leading Dana to suspect that online platforms were a source of his distress and radicalization.

Dana: "He had an iPhone, so I had Apple parental controls set up."
— [00:42]

Dana observed behavioral changes, including extreme political rhetoric influenced by neo-fascist ideologies. Her son's self-harm escalated from minor cuts to more severe injuries, coinciding with his deepening involvement in extremist online communities.

Dana: "We were given a safety plan to lock up items in the home that he could use to harm himself."
— [01:14]

3. Confronting the Reality of Radicalization

Dana's attempts to address her son's issues were met with standard teenage challenges, but she became increasingly concerned about the nature of his online interactions. Her fears materialized when her daughter discovered a customized hunting knife in her son's possession, linked to the predatory network known as "764."

Dana: "Does he have another weapon on him at school right now? Does he have a weapon at home? Like is he gonna hurt somebody or somebody else or himself?"
— [04:34]

The FBI revealed that networks like 764 are involved in various criminal activities, including terrorism plots and child exploitation, emphasizing the grave risks these groups pose.

4. The Broader Impact of Extremist Networks

The podcast highlights that Dana's experience is part of a larger pattern where extremist networks encourage children to harm themselves and others. Incidents in multiple countries underscore the global reach and dangerous influence of these groups.

Dana: "RCMP have arrested an Edmonton area teen on suspicion of terrorism."
— [07:53]

From Canada to Brazil and Sweden, teens have been implicated in plots ranging from bomb threats to live-streamed attacks on vulnerable populations, illustrating the diverse manifestations of online radicalization.

5. Law Enforcement and Prevention Efforts

Former Homeland Security official William Braniff discusses the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing nihilistic violent extremism, now deemed the top concern. Despite ongoing investigations—over 250 cases—the consensus among experts is that policing alone is insufficient.

William Braniff: "Nihilistic violent extremism had become the number one concern."
— [08:29]

Matthew Kreiner of the Institute for Countering Digital Extremism emphasizes the need for a public health approach, advocating for education and therapeutic resources to prevent and mitigate the impact of these networks.

Matthew Kreiner: "Most of these behaviors and the harms that are being perpetrated are peer to peer."
— [10:13]

6. The Role of Federal Support and Community Action

The episode critiques the reduction of federal resources under the Trump administration, which has hindered local efforts to combat online extremism. Cynthia Miller Idris of American University stresses that without federal coordination, responses will be inconsistent and inadequate.

Cynthia Miller Idris: "We see the one or two school shootings in the news and we think, oh, that's a tragic incident."
— [08:54]

7. Dana's Path to Recovery and Advocacy

After months of struggle, Dana successfully removed her son from harmful online environments through a partial hospitalization program and by replacing his smartphone with a flip phone. Although his recovery has been gradual, Dana remains vigilant and now shares her story to raise awareness.

Dana: "Now I feel like when I talk about it, I get one of two reactions. One is that could never happen to us because we have parental controls and screen time and our kid would never do something like that. Or two, I had no idea that something like this could happen."
— [13:26]

8. Conclusion: A Call to Action

NPR's Consider This emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the radicalization of youth online. By sharing Dana's story, the podcast aims to educate parents, educators, and communities about the signs of online extremism and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard children.

Notable Quotes:

• Dana: "He was fully naked."
  — [06:52]

• William Braniff: "What we're really talking about here is this network has gained its own."
  — [09:36]

• Matthew Kreiner: "It's happening from youth to youth and they're bringing in individuals faster than we can disrupt."
  — [10:13]

Final Thoughts

The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the silent battles many families face in the digital age. It underscores the complexity of online radicalization and the multifaceted approach required to combat it, involving law enforcement, community support, and mental health resources.

For more insights and stories like Dana's, tune into NPR's Consider This or visit plus.npr.org/considerthis.