Sure! Here’s the translation into American English:
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In Colombia, the alarming trend of young people being recruited by armed groups has intensified, largely driven by the use of social media. María, a mother facing the desperate disappearance of her son, discovered his connection to a violent group through a conversation on Facebook. A suitor of her son revealed there that he had plans to join a criminal organization.
Digital platforms have changed the way these groups convey their ideology and appeal. TikTok videos showcase luxuries like parties, money, and expensive cars, using emojis that allude to drug trafficking. This seductive image contrasts with the harsh reality faced by many teenagers from humble backgrounds, who see crime as a quick way to social mobility.
Professor Mario, who works in a rural school, notes that the desire for belonging and power attracts young people to these groups. “They want to be someone in their territory and think the best way to achieve that is to join them,” he explains. This yearning for a life filled with excitement and risk is accompanied by the normalization of violence in their daily lives.
Teacher Diana, with over two decades of experience, highlights the context of extreme poverty that many of these young people face. In regions where the state does not guarantee basic rights, armed groups appear as alternatives that promise security and a sense of belonging. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by digitalization.
According to a report from the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, various social media accounts have been identified that promote the recruitment of minors. In 2025, over a hundred allegations were recorded, representing a 64% increase compared to the previous year. The lack of reports and fear of reprisals further complicate the situation, leaving families in a state of vulnerability.
The recruitment of minors is not a new phenomenon; since 1990, thousands of children and adolescents have fallen victim to this violence. The demobilization of the FARC left a power vacuum that other groups have filled, intensifying the struggle for territorial control and illegal economies.
This problem particularly affects indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, where the exploitation of children and adolescents for combat and sexual purposes has become alarmingly common. The situation demands a comprehensive approach that includes effective public policies to prevent recruitment and support the reintegration of victims.
In the face of this crisis, educators in affected areas work hard to offer alternatives and a hopeful future to these young people, although their efforts take place in an environment of constant threat from violence. It is clear that structural responses are needed to ensure access to quality education and safe spaces for the development of children and youth, transforming schools into places of healing rather than exploitation.
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via: MiMub in Spanish