Colombia’s armed groups recruit children and train them in drone warfare, rights group says

Colombian armed groups are recruiting children and training them in drone warfare, according to a rights group. The recruitment drive is reportedly being facilitated by social media platforms, with Facebook and TikTok's algorithms promoting content from these groups. The Human Rights Watch report “I Thought I’d Never See My Mom Again” details the recruitment and use of children by these armed groups.

The use of drones in warfare is not new, but the recruitment of children for this purpose is a disturbing development. The gamification of drone warfare makes it appealing to children, according to coverage from SOFX. The involvement of social media platforms in promoting this content raises questions about the responsibility of these companies in preventing the exploitation of children.

The extent of the recruitment and the specific methods used by the armed groups are not fully detailed in the current reporting. The role of social media in this recruitment drive is a key area of focus, with Human Rights Watch and AP News both highlighting the algorithms of Facebook and TikTok. The response from these platforms and the Colombian government to these allegations is not yet clear.