Extremists Exploit Gaming Platforms to Recruit Young Children

Hate groups and terrorist organizations are using popular online games like Minecraft and Roblox to draw in a new generation of extremists, according to experts.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Hate groups and terrorist organizations are increasingly exploiting popular online gaming platforms like Minecraft and Roblox to recruit young children, according to researchers and law enforcement. Children now account for 42% of terrorism-related investigations worldwide, a threefold rise since 2021, as extremists adapt their tactics to the digital era and target vulnerable youth.

Why it matters

The rise in child radicalization through online gaming platforms is alarming authorities, who are struggling to devise effective strategies to counter these new recruitment tactics. Extremist ideologies are spreading rapidly among minors, often leading to tragic consequences for affected families.

The details

Violent ideological groups from across the political spectrum are creating their own games and digital environments within popular platforms like Minecraft and Roblox, where they can indoctrinate children and train them in terrorist tactics. Intelligence agencies have warned of extremists using these games and associated social networks to recruit and radicalize new members, often through sophisticated "funnel strategies" that guide young people from mainstream platforms to more extremist online communities.

  • In 2021, children accounted for 20-30% of counterterrorism workloads in Europe.
  • As of 2026, children now make up 42% of terrorism-related investigations globally, a threefold rise since 2021.

The players

Arno Michaelis

A former neo-Nazi who now helps families affected by extremism.

Thomas Renard

The director of the International Center for Counter-Terrorism, a research group in The Hague.

Jean Slater

A researcher who focuses on violent extremist movements, with a focus on Roblox.

Ann and Shawn

The parents of a 15-year-old girl who became radicalized online and now refuses to come home.

Allizandra Herberhold

A worker at Parents for Peace, a U.S.-based group that helps families affected by extremism.

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What they’re saying

“It's a big concern to me that the recruitment has moved outside of social media through platforms that parents would think are more innocuous.”

— Arno Michaelis, Former neo-Nazi, now helps families affected by extremism (The New York Times)

“It's a trend that has been taken to the extreme. The numbers are shocking and like nothing we have ever seen before.”

— Thomas Renard, Director, International Center for Counter-Terrorism (The New York Times)

“People just assume regulators have taken care of this, because there's no way a platform would allow an adult to talk to a 9-year-old.”

— Jean Slater, Researcher, violent extremist movements (The New York Times)

“It's just completely shattered our world. It's heartbreaking. If it can happen in our household, it can happen anywhere.”

— Ann, Parent of radicalized 15-year-old (The New York Times)

“At rock bottom, I would say if you would ask me then if Hitler did anything wrong, I would have said 'no.'”

— Anonymous young Swede, Former member of white supremacist "active club" (The New York Times)

What’s next

Authorities are working to develop new strategies to counter the growing threat of child radicalization through online gaming platforms, but experts warn that the problem is outpacing the response.

The takeaway

The alarming rise in child recruitment by extremist groups through popular gaming platforms highlights the urgent need for greater online safety measures, improved parental education, and collaborative efforts between tech companies, law enforcement, and communities to protect vulnerable youth from the dangers of digital radicalization.