AFP warns Australia of ‘tsunami of youth crime’ and radicalisation accelerated by AI
News Source
•Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:18:20 GMT
📰 What Happened
The Australian Federal Police has warned a parliamentary inquiry about a 'tsunami of youth crime'. Acting deputy commissioner Sandra Booth said radicalisation used to take months or years. With artificial intelligence, it can now happen in days.
She said AI lowers the skills needed to groom young people online. Since 2020, 65 children, some as young as 12, have been the subject of federal police operations. Thirty-five were charged with terrorism-related offences.
🔍 The Backstory
Asio's Claire McGuinness said the spy agency now deals with children as young as 12. Twenty years ago most cases involved people in their early twenties. One 13-year-old allegedly kept a notebook with plans for a school shooting.
The home affairs counter-terrorism coordinator, Brendan Dowling, said agencies often identify people too late. The intelligence and security committee is taking submissions and will report in March. MPs also say threats against politicians are rising.
🎯 Why It Matters
Radicalisation is getting faster and younger, so parents, schools and police need to spot the warning signs much earlier than before.
The Australian Federal Police has warned a parliamentary inquiry about a 'tsunami of youth crime'. Acting deputy commissioner Sandra Booth said radicalisation used to take months or years. With artificial intelligence, it can now happen in days.
She said AI lowers the skills needed to groom young people online. Since 2020, 65 children, some as young as 12, have been the subject of federal police operations. Thirty-five were charged with terrorism-related offences.
Asio's Claire McGuinness said the spy agency now deals with children as young as 12. Twenty years ago most cases involved people in their early twenties. One 13-year-old allegedly kept a notebook with plans for a school shooting.
The home affairs counter-terrorism coordinator, Brendan Dowling, said agencies often identify people too late. The intelligence and security committee is taking submissions and will report in March. MPs also say threats against politicians are rising.
Radicalisation is getting faster and younger, so parents, schools and police need to spot the warning signs much earlier than before.