A Sydney teenager has been sentenced for preparing for a terrorist attack and sharing violent extremist material online, as federal police warn of a sharp increase in counterterrorism cases involving children.
The case carries a warning for Hawkesbury parents, schools and community groups about the importance of recognising concerning changes and seeking help early.
The NSW Supreme Court imposed a three-year Community Corrections Order on the teenager on Monday, 9 November, according to a joint statement from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.
The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team began investigating in mid-2024.
Investigators established that between 30 June and 7 August 2024, the teenager researched attack methods and potential targets while also transmitting violent extremist material through social media and online forums.
Police searched a Sydney residence on 7 August 2024 and seized his mobile phone, which was subsequently found to contain 41 violent extremist material files.
On 13 February 2026, he pleaded guilty to three Commonwealth offences involving preparation for a terrorist act, transmitting violent extremist material and possessing or controlling such material using a carriage service.
The sentencing comes amid wider concern about the role of online networks in drawing young people towards violence.
AFP Counterterrorism Commander Paula Hudson told the ABC on Wednesday that minors accounted for 40 per cent of active joint counterterrorism cases this year.
She said 32 of the 37 young people prosecuted for counterterrorism offences since 2020 had been arrested and prosecuted in the past two years.
An AFP analysis of 55 cases involving children aged 12 to 17 found every young person had been radicalised wholly or partly online. Those figures describe the cases examined by police, rather than the prevalence of radicalisation among children generally.
“The pathway from the online world to making plans to act out in the real world is happening a lot faster than what we think,” Commander Hudson told the ABC.
Police are urging families to notice changes that may warrant a conversation or professional support. These include withdrawal from usual friends and family, increasingly hateful language, growing involvement in extremist online communities and a fixation on material promoting violence.
Such changes can have many explanations. Strong political views, anger or time spent online alone do not establish that a child is becoming radicalised. The concern is whether a young person is being drawn towards supporting or using violence.
Early assistance can include support for family relationships, education, mental health and positive community connections. NSW’s voluntary Engagement and Support Program works with people aged ten and over who may be vulnerable to violent extremist influence.
Parents, carers and others concerned about someone they know can contact Step Together on 1800 875 204, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding national public holidays, or visit steptogether.gov.au.
Suspected radicalisation or terrorism-related activity can be reported to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
