A new report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has brought to light alarming data about youth radicalization in Canada.
According to CSIS’s year-end report for 2025, a growing number of young people — some as young as 13 — are the subject of the agency’s counter-terrorism investigations. In fact, nearly one in 10 CSIS investigations now includes at least one person under the age of 18.
“CSIS counter-terrorism investigations regularly encounter minors mobilizing to violence,” the report said.
A former CSIS intelligence officer says the trend is not unexpected, but remains concerning.
“Is it surprising? No. Is it alarming? Yes,” said Neil Bisson in an interview. “The internet and digital media and the interconnectivity of everything now, it’s becoming a target.”
Bisson said vulnerable and impressionable youth are being targeted online.