Self-radicalisation remains the key driver of Singapore’s domestic terrorism threat, with youths increasingly exposed to extremist content online.
The Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2026, published by the Internal Security Department (ISD) on Thursday (10 Sept), said eight Singaporeans have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act since July 2025.
Seven of them were self-radicalised, with the majority being youths.
Source: Internal Security Department
Meanwhile, from 2015 to June 2026, 67 self-radicalised individuals, comprising 55 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners, were dealt with under the ISA.
ISD also warned that Singapore continues to face a high terrorism threat, with extremist propaganda and overseas conflicts potentially fuelling radicalisation.
The number of youth ISA cases has almost quadrupled in the past five years.
There were four cases between 2017 and 2021, compared with 15 from 2022 onwards.
Of the eight new ISA cases since July 2025, six involved youths aged below 21.
Source: Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2026
Those being radicalised are also getting younger.
Between April and June this year, three youths aged 14 to 19 were also detained after developing plans for attacks in Singapore.
All three had identified readily available weapons for their intended attacks.
ISD said online platforms continue to feature prominently in self-radicalisation cases.
Social media can expose youths to extremist content through online communities and algorithmic recommendations, while repeated engagement can reinforce extremist beliefs.
Online games have also featured in several recent cases.
Source: Internal Security Department
Another 14-year-old involved in a case of composite violent extremism encountered first-person shooter games on Roblox that recreated real-life school shootings.
ISD warned that repeated exposure to violent content can normalise violence.
“Violent fantasies may develop into a desire to enact real-world violence over time,” the ISD said.
The seven self-radicalised Singaporeans were influenced by a range of extremist ideologies.
Five were ISIS supporters, while three had their radicalisation triggered or accelerated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The report also highlighted Singapore’s first three cases of composite violent extremism.
All three involved youths below 21 who subscribed to multiple extremist ideologies.
Source: Internal Security Department
These included far-right and far-left extremism, anti-Semitism, incel ideologies, accelerationism and racial supremacy.
ISD said ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have heightened the threat of attacks outside conflict zones.
They can also serve as triggers for radicalisation, particularly when extremist narratives spread online.
The potential return of foreign terrorist fighters to Southeast Asia could further heighten the regional threat.
Meanwhile, Islamist extremism remains a concern, while far-right and nihilistic violent extremist narratives are also gaining traction.
Source: Internal Security Department
ISD said detecting radicalisation early remains crucial, particularly as youths can progress towards violence quickly.
It urged family members, friends and the wider community to report signs of radicalisation early.
Reports can be made confidentially to ISD at 1800-2626-473.
Those who are in the early stages of radicalisation may be referred for counselling or other interventions without necessarily being dealt with under the ISA.
The report noted that Singapore’s counter-terrorism efforts extend beyond disrupting threats to rehabilitation, reintegration and community outreach.
For example, in 2025, ISD organised 67 workshops involving more than 2,500 youths, student leaders and educators.
Also read: 14-year-old S’porean boy recreates ISIS attacks & executions in Roblox, issued ISA restriction order
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Featured image adapted from the Internal Security Department and the Internal Security Department.