„Such a child is not a criminal, but a victim“: how to recognize child recruitment online
The National Crisis Management Center (NCMC) has confirmed that it has concrete facts about child recruitment - this year it has recorded real cases of minors being involved in illegal activities. According to Darius Buta, the chief advisor of the NCMC, vulnerable children who lack attention or money are most often targeted, and threats arise through social networks, messaging apps and gaming communities.
The most important message emphasized by experts: „A child cannot be left alone. He is not a criminal, he is a victim.“ Therefore, the response should not be by punishing, but by talking and helping.
The cases recorded include the IKEA arson and other serious acts of sabotage involving minors, which show that we are not just talking about digital threats, but also about real-world harm. As an open youth center, we share this information so that young people, their parents, and those working with youth can recognize the warning signs and know where to turn.
How is recruitment going?
Specialists describe a typical five-step scheme:
- Appeal. A stranger posts on social networks, games, or messaging apps, pretending to be a peer, friend, gamer, employer, or even an official representative, and tries to gain trust.
- Innocent first tasks. In exchange for a reward, the child is asked to perform „innocent“ actions – take a picture of a building, put stickers on it, draw graffiti, deliver something, or share a post. This is done to see if the child will agree.
- Inclusion and riskier tasks. If the child agrees, the requests become more specific and dangerous – collecting information about security, schedules, entrances, transportation routes, or camera locations.
- Pressure and control. The recruiter manipulates: demands to hide the correspondence, threatens to report it to the police or the VSD, convinces that „nothing will happen because you are a minor,“ and may demand compromising photos or videos.
- Transition to crime. Ultimately, they may be ordered to commit arson, transport explosives, damage infrastructure, or spy.
What to look out for: warning signs
- Rewards are offered for strange actions – taking photos, graffiti, transporting items, etc.
- Encouragement to hide the conversation from parents, teachers, or other adults.
- Rushing and pressure: „it needs to be done now“, „you have 10 minutes“.
- Threats, blackmail or threats to disclose personal data.
- Requests to collect precise information about locations, buildings, or security systems.
- Suggestion to move to another, anonymous platform or app.
What to do and where to report?
If you notice such signs, the most important thing is not to judge the child. He is a victim, so instead of punishment, he needs a conversation, support and help. In case of threat, contact:
- In case of immediate danger, call 112.
- Report suspected recruitment attempts State Security Department (SSD): tel. +370 700 70 007 or by email pranesk@vsd.lt.
- Report threats, pressure, or illegal activities to the police.
If you are worried about yourself or a friend and don't know what to do, you can also talk to the youth workers at our center. You are not alone.
Prepared based on the LRT.lt publication: Aida Murauskaitė, „NKVC representative: we have facts about child recruitment, such a child is not a criminal, but a victim“ (2026-07-01). Read the full article LRT.lt.
