After a Quebec man was charged with terrorism-related offences associated to a transnational group that promotes violent extremism and targets youth on-line, consultants say it’s a reminder the web is “not a protected place” for Canada’s youngsters and youngsters.
The 26-year-old man from the Quebec Metropolis space was arrested after an investigation into alleged on-line exercise linked to the extremist 764 Community. The group was listed by Canada as a terrorist entity in December 2025.
The investigation alleges the content material was distributed on-line with the goal of radicalizing people, believed to be primarily youngsters.
“We now have to pay actually shut consideration to what our children are doing on-line. Have they got unfettered entry to your entire web at 11 years previous? The web isn’t a protected place, and so we have to take note of that,” mentioned Luc Cousineau, a school member at Dalhousie College who research far-right extremism and the web neighborhood.
In keeping with the RCMP, the 764 community targets youngsters and youths by means of on-line gaming platforms, social media and cellular apps, together with Discord, Telegram, Roblox and Minecraft.
Cousineau instructed World Information the transition from the standard web platforms to different areas has been an evolution for teams like 764.
“So not simply on the type of classical web, however in different areas as effectively, so gaming areas, for instance, and different type of chat supplier areas to both recruit to their organizations or to search out victims,” Cousineau, who was the founding father of the Canadian Institute on Far-Proper Research, mentioned. “They’re actually actively utilizing all kinds of platforms to recruit others into their neighborhood areas but additionally to search out victims.”
Warning indicators to observe for
Authorities allege the 764 Community seeks to control and recruit youth by spreading propaganda and inspiring violent acts each on-line and offline.
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The RCMP has urged dad and mom to stay vigilant about their youngsters’s on-line exercise and to report any suspicious behaviour to authorities.
Authorities say this could embody teenagers utilizing cellular apps comparable to Discord, Telegram or different encrypted platforms that stop parental visibility. Different indicators embody dropping grades in class, being excessively moody and on edge, or changing into extra remoted.
“When you’ve got a child in your life who’s all the time been very open about what they’re doing on-line and speaking about it so much after which they cease speaking about it so much, that is really an enormous warning signal,” Cousineau mentioned.
In a notice about violent groups exploiting youngsters, the RCMP additionally mentioned to observe for youth overlaying their pores and skin in uncommon methods, or going by means of extra bandages or exhibiting proof of cuts or carvings on their pores and skin.
Teams like 764 goal most susceptible youth
However whereas dad and mom and lecturers ought to control youth, police say some are also committing the crimes.
New Brunswick RCMP in February confirmed there have been two separate instances of youth positioned beneath terrorism peace bonds. The primary was for the alleged facilitation of terrorist exercise, the second for involvement in activities as part of the 764 Network.
A 16-year-old in Nova Scotia dealing with a number of youngster pornography-related and inciting hatred costs was additionally accused of being a member of 764 Community, police mentioned following the teenager’s October 2025 arrest. In January, 4 out of the 5 costs were withdrawn.
“Children themselves take part in that and, in fact, it’s troublesome for us as a result of it means they’re in a victim-aggressor place, very younger, very susceptible and nonetheless aggressing their friends,” mentioned Dr. Cécile Rousseau, a toddler psychologist who additionally research violent radicalization.
Rousseau instructed World Information teams just like the 764 Community typically goal youth and youngsters who’re in susceptible states, coping with points like melancholy, isolation and consuming problems.
She mentioned whereas recommendation to folks is to watch their youngsters and spot modifications in behaviour, it’s not all the time straightforward.
“They [extremist groups] educate younger children to not discuss to adults,” she mentioned. “They educate younger children, they inform them, don’t communicate with the psychologist, don’t communicate together with your instructor, don’t communicate together with your dad and mom … So that they’re actively, similar to in jail, the regulation of Omerta, so don’t discuss as a result of this can be held towards you.”
Getting youth to reveal what’s occurring instantly could be troublesome, however Rousseau mentioned dad and mom and lecturers must be affected person and create a protected area, however to additionally search assist if wanted.
The Canadian Centre for Baby Safety mentioned it’s why the Winnipeg-based group exists, to assist each youngsters and oldsters when dealing with troublesome circumstances.
“These instances develop into very distressing and I feel that is the place, in lots of circumstances, I feel dad and mom don’t know the place to show or they’re unsure what to do if they’ve an inkling that one thing’s occurring for his or her children,” mentioned Lindsay Lobb, the director of operations for help companies.
“Come to us, we’re right here to have these conversations with dad and mom. We’re right here to speak it by means of with you to provide you with a plan that’s going to be proper for your loved ones to maintain your children protected.”
—with recordsdata from World Information’ Rebecca Lau and Alessia Simona Maratta
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