Police probe whether toxic web 'radicalised' stab teen

A student has been released from hospital after being stabbed at the University of Sydney. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

A terrorism investigation into a teenager accused of stabbing a university student is entering its third day as police raise fears a toxic internet radicalised the boy.

No charges have been laid against the 14-year-old boy who remains under arrest after the attack at the University of Sydney campus in Camperdown on Tuesday.

The boy was dressed in military-style cadet fatigues when he walked on to the grounds and allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old student in the neck with a kitchen knife.

Police say the attack was random.

Counter terrorism police are investigating the stabbing and have said they do not believe the boy was motivated for religious reasons.

However, one theory behind the stabbing lays the blame at the door of a toxic internet with police fearing access to extreme violent content online radicalised the teen.

 NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley revealed the 14-year-old was charged over another incident in 2023, but the case was dismissed in court.

NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley
Yasmin Catley called for support for families whose children had been radicalised online.

She did not state what charges he had faced, but said he had been engaging with a program run by the Community and Justice department.

"We have to make sure that we wrap services and support around these kids who are being radicalised online and their families," Ms Catley said on Wednesday.

"To parents, to carers, if you're a coach of a kid or if you're their teacher, if you see behaviour that changes, then say something, come forward and let us know, because we cannot help if we do not know."

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil responded to reports the teenager had been in a deradicalisation program.

"I'm confident these programs do have some effect, but we need to stay really focused on making sure that we're attacking the problem with everything we've got," Ms O'Neil said.

Police were awaiting the outcome of a mental health assessment on the boy.

The student who was stabbed was released from hospital on Wednesday with reports emerging that while he has been allowed home, the attack could have been fatal.


License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store