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Children Recruited as Viral Soldiers on TikTok
6 Apr
Summary
- Sudanese children as young as eight are featured as viral TikTok soldiers.
- Both sides in Sudan's conflict use children in propaganda videos.
- Experts warn social media platforms are outpaced by extremist technology use.
Children in Sudan's brutal civil war are being transformed into viral TikTok soldiers, exploited in a disturbing social media spectacle. Young boys, some as young as eight, are prominently featured in chilling footage posing with firearms, celebrating violence, and accumulating millions of views online. These "lion cubs" are being deliberately showcased by both sides of the conflict.
Investigations have uncovered alarming TikTok clips showing these children in camouflage, gripping assault rifles and filming themselves on frontlines. Some footage, since removed by TikTok, included youngsters delivering fiery speeches and making violent threats. Experts like Professor Mia Bloom highlight how extremist groups are agile early adopters of new technology, often staying ahead of authorities and using platforms like TikTok similarly to how ISIS used Telegram.
The trend represents a shift in how children are used in conflict, moving from being hidden to being openly paraded. This tactic aims to shame men into fighting and normalizes violence for other children, creating a perverse incentive for fame. These child soldiers are valuable propaganda tools, often kept alive for social media exposure rather than frontline combat, as they are seen as "little trophies."
