Criminals ‘may radicalize youths via video games’

DUBAI: Authorities in the UAE have warned the public that “criminal groups propagating radical ideologies” could spread violent ideas and rebellious behavior among young people through video gaming.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) issued the warning in a statement carried by state media.
It urged parents to prevent teenagers from establishing relations with strangers through chat channels in games.
Criminal groups “are trying to recruit young people and adolescents through some electronic games,” WAM quoted Mohammed Al-Zarooni, the TRA’s director for policy and programs, as saying.
He said the groups identified weaknesses in their targets through conversations and then exploited them by directing them to commit crimes.
In particular, some criminals used war games to encourage the use of weapons.