FBI launches new awareness program for teens Published March 1, 2016 WASHINGTON -- Today, like never before, violent extremists of all kinds are deliberately targeting our nation's young people with poisonous propaganda, especially in cyberspace, where they are flooding social media with slick recruiting videos and persuasive calls to action. Violent extremist information is only a click away. The FBI's investigations and analysis indicate that these efforts--to a disturbing degree--are succeeding. Across America, there are young people who are embracing various forms of violent extremism, actively communicating with violent extremists, and helping with recruitment. Without warning, many teens are joining violent extremist groups in the U.S. or leaving their families and traveling to war zones thousands of miles away to enlist in violent extremist movements--some are even plotting and launching attacks in the U.S. and overseas. Today, as part of its leading role in helping to prevent terrorist attacks, the FBI is educating communities on violent extremism by launching a new, free program for teens nationwide. It's called Don't Be a Puppet: Pull Back the Curtain on Violent Extremism. The centerpiece is an interactive website at https://cve.fbi.gov that uses activities, quizzes, videos, and other materials to teach teens how to recognize violent extremist messaging and become more resistant to self-radicalization and possible recruitment. The website is divided into five main sections, each with various activities and elements to complete. A sixth "Where to Get Help" page offers conflict resolution tips, identifies resources to contact for assistance, and provides links to more information. Teens earn a printable FBI certificate by completing all of the activities in five sections. Jonathan Cox, head of the OPA unit that created the website and developed the concept. "We're saying, "Don't be a puppet; don't just blindly accept what violent extremists tell you or you could end up being controlled and manipulated by people who want you to hurt or kill innocent people." The program is open to anyone in the United States who wishes to participate, but it is designed for a teenage audience. No registration is required to sign up for, or use, the website. Incidents like the Charleston shootings and the Boston Marathon bombings have demonstrated that extremist violence transcends race and religion and can have a devastating impact on communities. It's the FBI's hope that this new initiative can make a difference in helping to keep young people from being radicalized and recruited, now and in the future. (Editor's Note: The following article was written by the FBI and submitted by the Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Antiterrorism office as part of the installation's antiterrorism program.)