KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 2026, The growing influence of online communities that glorify mass killers poses a serious concern for youth safety, with security analyst Munira Mustaffa calling for stronger prevention efforts following several school-related attacks.
Munira said three incidents in Kuching on Wednesday, Banting in July and Bandar Utama in October last year were believed to be linked to teenagers’ interest in the True Crime Community (TCC), an online subculture associated with the glorification of notorious killers.
She said the community often references attacks such as the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the United States and the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand.
Exposure to such content could potentially draw vulnerable teenagers towards Misanthropic and Nihilistic Violent Extremism (M/NVE), which involves hostility towards humanity and society, she warned.
Munira stressed that the problem extended beyond individual gaming platforms or social media networks, as these communities could operate across different parts of the internet.
She said identifying potential threats could be challenging because individuals might act alone, with personal grievances gradually developing into broader hostility towards society. Some might plan attacks in advance and seek recognition within online communities.
To reduce the risk, Munira called for closer cooperation between schools, parents, students and authorities, alongside early intervention when credible warning signs emerge.
She also emphasised the importance of building trust between students and teachers so young people would feel comfortable reporting concerning behaviour.
Parents and educators should remain attentive to significant behavioural changes and youths’ online activities, she said. However, she cautioned that warning signs must be assessed in context, with multiple indicators considered before concluding that a genuine threat exists.
-BERNAMA
