WHEELING – Terrorism and hate groups are using online social platforms to recruit young people and coerce them into acts of violence and vandalism, often forcing them to commit mutilation or suicide, FBI agents said Friday in Wheeling. Ta.
School and law enforcement representatives from across northern West Virginia traveled to Wheeling on Friday to attend a regional school safety conference hosted by the West Virginia Department of Education.
“It is important that school administrators and school personnel understand what is happening to children through technology,” explained Jonah Adkins, director of school safety for the West Virginia Department of Energy. “Another important thing is that while we share this information with our students, we also want to get this information out into the community.
“Parents need to be careful when their children are at home and using devices to avoid getting into situations that could put them at risk in the future,” Adkins added. “Parents need to be very aware of what apps they use, what social media they use. They need to be aware that there are bad people out there trying to do bad things. You should know.”
The conference began with a presentation on “Youth Violent Extremism and Online Terrorism” by Madison Moore, an intelligence analyst with the FBI's Pittsburgh office.
Moore discusses the connection between online predators and domestic terrorism, and how child predators, as well as hate groups, terrorist groups, and others obsessed with social disruption, are using Roblox. They talked about how they use online tools such as gaming systems to reach out and obtain information. Some of the most vulnerable young people. Typically, she explained, they approach people between the ages of 8 and 17.
Some of the predators may be extremist groups trying to draw young people into their way of thinking. Use bold, colorful graphics to attract youth and get them to read your message. They may even offer gifts or a strong facade of friendship to groom them.
Moore pointed out that there are signs parents should look out for to see if their child has become a victim of one of these online groups. The first, she explained, is when children become addicted to computers and video experiences and “their social lives become completely online.”
They continue to read the propaganda sent to them by the organization and its members and live only within its “echo chamber.” That's where the only information they consume is from hate and terrorist groups.
Hate and terrorist groups expect this message, called a “leak,” to be passed on by members until it is believed to be true, Moore added.
Many online groups are intent on spreading violence and confusing information, she continued. Ultimately, she may force members to send compromising photos of themselves, behead them, or even order them to commit suicide.
Moore said many of the images depict bloodshed and acts of sexual violence.
Hate and terrorist groups are intent on causing chaos and violence and encourage such behavior among their followers. She explained that their goal is to destroy the world and then become one of the most powerful people in power.
“Right now, there is an ongoing competition for power and influence within the group,” Moore said. “They gather influence by competing to see who can coerce the most victims into producing the most violent content.”
She encouraged families to monitor their loved ones' online footprint and watch for anything out of the ordinary.
Adkins also was scheduled to host a discussion about the state Department of Energy's new emergency response planning platform, which has moved to an online platform.
“We talk about the resources available to them, the importance of planning for disasters, and the process of implementing the steps taken,” he said. “It is important that students and teachers know what to do in the event of an emergency, so when the time comes they will automatically know what to do.
“Being in the middle of a chaotic situation can throw plans off track. But the more you practice, the more you train, the more prepared your employees will be.”
Adkins said another presentation referenced crisis management tools available through the WVDOE's West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS).
“If there is an emergency and we have to move children out of the facility, we have tools in place to ensure we return the right child to the right parent or guardian,” he explained. .
School safety “is everyone's responsibility,” he continued.
He encourages everyone to download the “See-Send” app onto their phones. It is described as a nationwide tool that members of the public can use if they witness or suspect suspicious activity occurring near them.
The app includes detailed information on what to look for and when to submit a report of suspicious activity.