{
  "id": 15432034,
  "title": "Isis targets children through online games, says Ayob Khan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/isis-targets-children-through-online-games-says-ayob-khan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T14:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/18/isis-targets-children-through-online-games-says-ayub-khan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Counter-terrorism expert Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay warned that children as young as 12 are being recruited by extremists through online games like Roblox. The Islamic State group, despite its diminishing influence, continues to exploit these platforms to groom young minds for violence. Extremists often befriended children on gaming sites, then invited them to private groups where they were indoctrinated into carrying out attacks, Pitchay explained. He emphasized that extremists reject mainstream Islamic teachings, interpreting the Quran and hadith in ways that justify violence. During a convention marking the Prophet Muhammad's birthday in Kuala Lumpur, Pitchay cited a 2024 incident where a man, believed to be around 20 or 21 years old, attacked a police station with a parang and seized a firearm, justifying his actions as permissible in Islam. He also highlighted Malaysia's experience with extremist groups, pointing to the activities of the Jemaah Islamiah in the past. To combat this menace, Pitchay called for stricter preventive laws and stressed the importance of education and parental supervision to prevent young minds from falling prey to extremist ideologies.",
  "summary": "The former deputy IGP says police recently arrested children aged 12, 14 and 15 who were recruited online and taught to carry out terrorist attacks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Isis targets children through online games, says Ayob Khan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/isis-targets-children-through-online-games-says-ayob-khan-15434294",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:09:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}