CSIS Chief Warns: Nearly 1 in 10 Terror Probes Involve Minors as Online Radicalization Rises

CSIS Director Sounds Alarm on Youth Radicalization and Iran-linked Threats

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Daniel Rogers said in a rare public appearance that nearly one in every ten terrorism investigations now involves at least one person under the age of 18, a worrying trend he attributes largely to online radicalization.

Since 2014, Canada has experienced nearly two dozen violent extremist attacks that have resulted in 29 deaths and at least 60 injuries, Rogers said. He emphasized that young people can inflict the same harms as radicalized adults but noted that supports available to youth sometimes allow earlier intervention.

Recent cases involving minors

Rogers described several recent incidents involving teenagers: in August a minor was arrested in Montreal for allegedly planning an attack on behalf of Daesh; a 15-year-old in the Edmonton area was charged in a terrorism-related matter after RCMP investigators linked the youth to COM/764, described as a transnational online network that manipulates children; and two separate 15-year-olds were arrested in Ottawa for allegedly conspiring to carry out a mass-casualty attack targeting the Jewish community in late 2023 and early 2024.

“Clearly, radicalized youth can cause the same harms as radicalized adults,” Rogers said, but added that early detection and social supports can sometimes prevent escalation. He credited CSIS and law enforcement partners with disrupting several plots that likely prevented further loss of life.

Scope of disruptions and international cooperation

Rogers said CSIS has been involved in disrupting at least 24 violent extremist actions since 2022, each resulting in arrests or terrorism peace-bond charges. In 2024, CSIS played a central role in stopping two Daesh-inspired plots: one allegedly involved a father and son in advanced planning for an attack in the Toronto area, and another involved an individual arrested before reportedly attempting to enter the United States to target members of the Jewish community in New York.

In December, CSIS, the RCMP and intelligence partners from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand published a joint public report addressing the evolving role of youth in violent extremism. The report offers guidance for parents, guardians and communities on spotting early warning signs and responding to youth radicalization.

Drivers of radicalization and online threats

Rogers attributed growing youth radicalization to eroding social cohesion, increasing polarization and significant global events that create fertile ground for extremist narratives. He warned that many individuals radicalize exclusively online — often anonymously and without direct contact with handlers — which complicates detection and prevention.

Transnational repression and Iran-linked threats

Beyond domestic violent extremism, Rogers said CSIS continues to collect intelligence and defend against transnational repression. Historically focused on threats linked to the People’s Republic of China, India and others, CSIS has recently reprioritized some operations to counter actions by Iranian intelligence services and proxies. In several troubling cases over the past year, the agency detected, investigated and disrupted what it described as potentially lethal threats against individuals in Canada.

“We must adapt to changing tactics and the growing role of online platforms in radicalization,” Rogers said, adding that partnership with domestic and international law enforcement remains critical to saving lives.