AI Chatbots Target Kids With Death Messages

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UK’s terrorism watchdog calls for Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, warning that AI-driven extremist chatbots are pushing vulnerable youth “down the dial of death” through online radicalization.

Story Snapshot

Jonathan Hall KC demands under-16 social media ban following Australia’s model with £25.6 million fines
Southport killer and other young attackers consumed extreme online content before violent acts
AI terrorist chatbots and mass killer avatars target “disturbed teenagers” for radicalization
Tech giants resist with “laughable” parental monitoring suggestions while profiting from youth engagement

Terror Expert Demands Action Against Digital Radicalization

Jonathan Hall KC, the UK’s Independent Reviewer of Terror Legislation, published a Telegraph opinion piece January 2nd urging Britain to adopt Australia’s under-16 social media ban. Hall described the internet as a “portal to horrific acts of violence” and criticized tech platforms for prioritizing profits over protecting children. His call comes as Australia’s December ban on platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram takes effect, threatening companies with fines up to £25.6 million for non-compliance.

The terrorism expert cited specific cases linking online extremism to youth violence, including 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana who killed three girls in Southport after consuming extreme online material. Nicholas Prosper, 19, murdered his family and planned a school shooting after exposure to online extremism before police intervention. Hall warns that AI-powered “terrorist chatbots” and digital avatars of mass killers now actively target vulnerable teenagers, amplifying radicalization risks beyond traditional social media dangers.

Australia’s Bold Stand Against Tech Giant Overreach

Australia’s groundbreaking legislation bans children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, representing the world’s first comprehensive age-based restriction. The law emerged from 2024 government inquiries into youth mental health impacts and online harms, establishing severe financial penalties for platforms failing to implement proper age verification. Despite critics noting enforcement challenges and privacy concerns regarding digital ID requirements, Australian officials defend the measure as progressive legislation protecting children from documented harms.

Tech companies oppose the restrictions, suggesting parental monitoring as an alternative while expressing concerns about privacy implications of age verification systems. Hall dismissed these corporate proposals as “laughable,” arguing that platforms profit from addictive engagement models targeting young users. The Australian precedent demonstrates that governments can successfully challenge Big Tech’s influence over children, providing a blueprint for other nations concerned about online radicalization and youth safety.

UK Faces Growing Threat from Online Youth Radicalization

Britain confronts increasing youth violence linked to online extremist networks that encourage peer-to-peer attacks and glorify mass killers. The UK’s existing Online Safety Act from 2023 mandates harm reduction measures but lacks comprehensive age restrictions, leaving children vulnerable to AI-enhanced radicalization tools. A grassroots petition supporting an under-16 ban has gathered 1,023 signatures, requiring 10,000 to trigger a government response, indicating growing parental concern about social media’s impact on children’s mental health and safety.

Hall’s expertise in terrorism legislation lends significant weight to his recommendations, particularly given his role reviewing digital threats and prison extremism cases. His criticism extends to human rights laws that he argues give a “bad name” to common-sense security measures, referencing costly legal payouts like the £240,000 Fuad Awale case. The terror watchdog positions the social media ban as essential for taking back control from tech giants who have failed to protect British children from radicalization and violence.