Engaging online radicalisation
Online radicalisation is the process in which someone comes to adopt extreme beliefs over the internet.
If your child engages with a short clip on social media, they may quickly find their feed flooded with more videos of the same tone. Hashtags and keywords guide the algorithm towards related channels, amplifying an echo chamber without human oversight. These videos can contain provocative or extreme content.
Once paired with an antisocial, parasocial online influence, adolescents are at risk of becoming extremely radicalised. The NZ Secret Intelligence Service has produced a guide for identifying signs of violent extremism; Kia mataara ki ngā tohu. Know the signs.
If you are worried about imminent danger to your child or others, please contact police on 111.
Iliad Youth works with young men who are showing early signs of radicalisation. This may look like misogynistic attitudes, racist or sexist comments or antisocial beliefs, that seemingly come out of nowhere. You may see changes to behaviour such as a different mindset or ideology, different associations or relationships to you or peers or an us-vs them mentality.
Youth may suddenly feel like society is under siege or display a sudden interest in political or religious themes unrelated to their previous interests or show signs of black and white thinking. They may suddenly change their routines, spending increasing amounts of time online on specific platforms.
This mindset is creating a high risk for young people and their ability to engage with society in a prosocial manner.
Research shows that it is possible to guide youth away from this path.
Iliad Youth seeks to provide your child with an effective mentor and develop their own critical thinking skills.
In an era of AI, of increasing distrust in what we see and hear online, and tech focused problem solving, Iliad Youth uses a real-world skill base, focusing on authentic real connections, real conversations and real solutions.
The online space and how it shapes young men.
“One night I got added to a group chat. It was called the 10 worst videos ever. There was a women cutting her wrist in a bath. Then a man fell into melted metal. A man got beheaded. Someone jumped off a building and I saw them hit the ground. I got suspended from school the next day.”
-12 year old male
“I don’t see women as equals; they need to know their place.”
-Andrew Tate.
Online influencer.
“The worst man is better than the best women.”
-17 year old male
"Harm to young New Zealanders from online platforms is severe and requires urgent responses from Government, business, and society alike.”
-Inquiry into the harm that young New Zealanders encounter online, and the roles that government, business and society should play in addressing those harms. 2026
-All quotes from young people are people I have worked with
“I want people to be scared of me.”
—16 Year old male
“Your body, my choice.”
-Nick Fuentes. Neo nazi, online influencer.
"The volume and accessibility of extremist views online is worrying,"
-Director-general of security Andrew Hampton, NZSIS
Degrading and hating women have been identified not only as an external expression of anti-women resentment, but also a discursive strategy rooted in negative self-perception.
-Halpin 2022
For parents.
Your son may have just snapped at you. During a conversation, he used words and themes that do not reflect your values or how you raised him.
You feel unable to parent them safely.
It is incredibly easy for young men to become radicalised online.
Platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are spaces where identities are moulded, norms are challenged, and social pressures are intensified.
Extreme content such as violence, sexual and disturbing content is engaging, shocking and addictive.
Misogyny, bigotry and racism are easy ways for online influencers to gain views and build a platform.
Your son may be reflecting the views of these influences. This can be shocking and hurtful when directed at you or others close to you.
Iliad Youth will give your son a way to explain himself and to understand his own world view. We seeks to give your son the confidence to be open, communicative and honest.
Iliad Youth promotes a prosocial alternatives to radical viewpoints, challenging them and giving your son alternative ways to feel secure in himself. Iliad Youth aims to promote self-sufficiency, and prevent further radicalisation through improrving confidence..
With competence, comes confidence.
For youth.
Young men are at risk due to no fault of your own. The world is big and moving fast, and it is easy to feel lost, alone or uncertain.
If you work with Iliad Youth, you will get a mentor, a role model, someone to bounce ideas off, who listens to your world view, and answers the questions you have.
Being an adult is about competencies, communication and regulation.
Iliad Youth will work to teach you these.
The world is more than a screen. It is out there. waiting for you to shape it.
Online influencers tell you what to think and how to do things. At Iliad Youth, you will do them.
Iliad Youth is built to give you the skills that you watch other people have. It is here to listen to you. It is here to build your worldview.
It is here to let you measure up to the person you want to be.
Life is more than a screen.
You are more than your algorithm.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Iliad youth only works with young men.
Our expertise is with young men from all walks of life. The program is built and designed for males between the ages of 11-18. -
The sole focus of Iliad youth is reducing online radicalisation among young men. We use a tailored approach with every client, concentrating on understanding where your son has been radicalized from, working on how to reduce this influence, and promote their own self-sufficiency in combating online narratives.
This differs to other mentoring services that focus on reducing criminality or enhancing learning, with mentors being a role model. -
Iliad youth costs $150 a session.
Each session lasts 90 minutes.
Ideally, a program lasts for eight sessions.If you are unable to pay directly, please contact us for options .
Iliad youth was created to help youth, not to turn a profit.
Meet the Instructor
Kia ora,
My name is Mac Stephenson.
I am the chief operator of Iliad Youth and will work alongside you as you undertake this journey.
I remember that feeling of not fitting in as an adolescent. I remember wanting guidance and someone to inspire me, to guide me. I listened to stupid dumb people who wanted to hurt me. I listened to people who I thought were right.
I can only imagine the difficulty I would have in today’s world.
When I work with youth, I want to provide a role model, a mentor and a confidant.
In my career, I have worked in schools, youth and adult prison, community mental health, the acute mental health sector, and strategic planning.
I took groups of troubled youth into the wilderness and outdoors to build trust and create space for life changing conversations. I know how to engage youth in a healthy and life changing way.
I have a BSc in Psychology and two Post Graduate Diplomas in Psychology and Child psychology.
I am a proud father, a multi-time Coast to coast longest day athlete, and devoted husband.