As part of the Australian bid to combat IS and other terrorist groups around the world,
new funding is being assigned to stop kids being radicalised online. Part of the funds will also be going to a new online reporting tool to help citizens say something when they see something online.
According to Budget papers, the Government will provision $21.7 million in funding over the next four years to fight online terrorism propaganda in Australia.
[related title=”GIZMODO ROUNDUP” tag=”bd2015″ items=”1″]The Government will spend the money monitoring social media, and analyse radicalisation narratives to stop kids from being lured in by groups like IS. As part of the program Aussies will get access to a new “big red button” that will be used to report extremist material being hosted online.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority will play a starring role in getting reported material taken down, and the Government has pledged to work with the private sector and so-called international partners to stop the spread of this radicalisation material.
The online anti-extremism program was announced by the Attorney General back in February, and was set to cost $18 million all up. The full cost for the online anti-terrorism program has since increased to $21.7 million over the four year estimates period.
In a speech back in February, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that the process of radicalising Minister sees impressionable youths fall in with groups like Islamic State, who force them to perform so-called “lone actor” attacks on Australia and her citizens.
Abbott said that the process of radicalisation happens early, often when they’re alone in their bedrooms browsing the web:
These lone actor attacks are not new, but they pose a unique set of problems.
All too often, alienated and unhappy people brood quietly.
Feeling persecuted and looking for meaning, they self-radicalise online. Then they plan attacks which require little preparation, training or capability. The short lead time from the moment they decide they are going to strike, and then actually undertake the attack, makes it hard to disrupt their activities.
To try and stop these attacks from happening, the Prime Minister wants the government to look into stopping kids self-radicalising, hence the new funding.