The 'incel' threat is at the door! How should families protect their children?

It was revealed that Semih Çelik, who took his own life after murdering İkbal Uzuner and Ayşenur Halil in Istanbul, was connected to individuals referred to as "incels" on a messaging application. The term incel is a subject frequently discussed in debates regarding misogyny, violence, and extremism. "Incel" groups can lie behind cases of violence against women. 

The "Incel" threat, which has been spreading rapidly in the digital world in recent days, is seriously threatening the mental and psychological health of young people.

Incel, an abbreviation of the term "involuntary celibate," refers to a community that promotes loneliness and misogyny. Information Technology expert Barış Bayram drew attention to the dangers of such groups in the internet environment and provided important information to families on how to protect their children.

WHAT SHOULD FAMILIES DO?

Stating that these dark groups specifically target young people, Barış Bayram emphasized that platforms such as Discord and Telegram have turned into arenas where immorality and violence run rampant. Expressing that children are unaware of the dangers of the groups present on these platforms, Bayram said, “Families should not ignore this situation and must be very careful.”

VIOLENCE AND HATRED ARE BEING NORMALIZED

Stating that the way to gain status in these groups is through exhibiting harmful behaviors toward other members, Barış Bayram said, “For example, those who torture a small cat and share the video of it are seen as heroes. These kinds of ruthless thoughts find a place in the minds of children and young people.” Bayram emphasized that such behaviors threaten not only the mental health of individuals but also that of society.

THE DANGER OF PERSONAL DATA: BLACKMAIL AND MANIPULATION

Another point that families should pay attention to is the seizure of personal information. Barış Bayram stated that these groups can easily access people's family information, phone numbers, and photos, and said, “Those who obtain this information corner children or young people with threats like ‘Pay up, or I will expose all your secrets.’ This situation reveals once again how critical digital security is.”

Barış Bayram listed the steps families should take to protect their children as follows:

"Establish open communication: Establish open communication with your children about the dangers of the internet. Find out which platforms they spend time on.

Take digital security measures: Teach your children to use strong passwords and explain that they should not share their personal information. Also, secure the computers and phones they use with parental controls and anti-virus software. We recommend that you get support from expert organizations on this matter.

Monitor internet usage: Observe which platforms your children spend time on. Be especially careful on channels like Discord and Telegram. Obtain up-to-date software for this and consult with expert organizations.

Get pedagogical support: If you notice that your child is involved in such groups, do not neglect to get support from an expert. Psychological support can help them move away from these harmful environments.

Increase social media awareness: Pay attention to what your children share on social media and ensure they develop awareness against negative behaviors.

LET'S ACT TOGETHER FOR A SAFE FUTURE

Stating that it is essential for families to act carefully and consciously in the face of the dangers existing in the digital world, Barış Bayram concluded his words by saying, “Digital security is the guarantee of our future. It is the duty of all of us to protect our young people from these dangers.”

News Source: 12punto