A 14-year-old Singaporean boy was issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November after becoming self-radicalised online by ISIS content. The Secondary 3 student had aspired to travel overseas to fight for ISIS and die as a martyr, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Wednesday (Jan 28).
The youth posted pro-ISIS content online, including footage from Roblox and GoreBox, where he recreated ISIS attacks and executions. Roblox is a user-driven gaming platform with millions of self-created games, while GoreBox allows players to experiment with weapons and features graphic violence.
ISD said the boy first encountered a video of ISIS fighters battling American soldiers in Al-Fallujah, Iraq, when he was 12. “After watching the video, he started to view ISIS as the defenders of the civilian population against American and Iraqi oppressors. As he searched for more information on ISIS, online algorithms pushed more ISIS-related videos to his social media feed,” ISD said.
After finding a pro-ISIS website, he spent about nine hours a day consuming extremist content. By late 2023 to early 2024, he became a staunch supporter of ISIS and its goal to create a global caliphate through violence. He took a pledge of allegiance, or bai’ah, to ISIS in June 2024 and posted pro-ISIS content online to show support.
Recreating Attacks in Games
“This included pro-ISIS videos that he had created using footage from his online gameplay on Roblox and GoreBox,” ISD said. “In these gaming platforms, he had recreated ISIS attacks and executions, and role-played as an ISIS fighter killing ‘disbelievers’ or enemies of ISIS.”
He practised close-quarter battle simulations at home for up to two hours daily with a toy AK-47 rifle. He also attempted to gather online support for ISIS and encourage others to engage in violence.
Extremist Ideologies and Targeting the LGBTQ Community
The boy’s exposure to ISIS content also intensified his hostility toward the LGBTQ community. He believed members of the community should be killed after learning about the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting. “He had thoughts of participating in an attack against the LGBTQ community in Singapore using guns, should one be initiated by others. However, he did not develop his violent ideations further,” ISD said.
He also admired other terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and Hamas, and idolised figures including Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki, and perpetrators of the 2002 Bali bombings, particularly Imam Samudra.
Family Awareness and Public Guidance
Although his family and friends were aware of his extremist views, none reported him. “While several of them attempted to dissuade him, he did not heed their advice. None of them reported him to the authorities,” ISD said. The agency urged the public to report concerns early, highlighting warning signs such as displaying extremist symbols, visiting radical websites, or sharing extremist content online.
ISD also shared that an 18-year-old Singaporean, previously detained for supporting ISIS and Al-Qaeda, had been released under a suspension direction and had rejected extremist beliefs after rehabilitation. Restriction orders for three other Singaporeans were allowed to lapse as they showed progress in rehabilitation.
