Alberta youth convicted in online extremism case involving Roblox
The young person faced charges after creating game modes depicting school shootings and possessing materials promoting violent rhetoric.
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An Alberta youth has been convicted in a violent extremism case, with RCMP Federal Policing revealing the person used Roblox to create game modes depicting school shootings.
The investigation found the youth was designing games where players took on the role of a gunman, receiving guidance from an online user on Discord. Police also discovered the youth possessed materials promoting hateful rhetoric and documentation detailing a desire to carry out a mass casualty event.
In March, the youth was sentenced to 19.5 months of probation with 27 conditions and a two-year discretionary weapons prohibition.
"Gone are the days when risk existed only in one physical location or solely in the 'real world,'" said Superintendent Matt Johnson of the RCMP's northwest national security teams. "Today, the threat extends just as dangerously into cyberspace, where online activity can rapidly spill into real-world harm."
Authorities describe the case as part of a concerning pattern across Canada. Since May of last year, two Saskatchewan youth were convicted for online threats connected to violent extremism, and in Alberta, two separate cases involved young people charged with terrorism-related crimes.
The RCMP are advising parents to watch for signs that their children are spending increased time alone online or showing interest in extremist messaging. Open conversations, they say, can reduce shame for young people targeted by violent online groups.