Terror groups like pedophiles, says expert

Authorities must tackle the recruitment of young Australians by extremist groups in the same way they treat the grooming of children by pedophiles, a terrorism expert says.

Leah Farrall, from the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, says it is crucial to involve the Muslim community and parents in efforts to counter online propaganda.

"A key part of this is not treating the community as the enemy," she told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

It should be treated in the same way as the problem of children being groomed online for child sexual exploitation, she said.

"Make sure the parents have the technical knowledge to keep an eye on what their kids are doing online," Dr Farrall said.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the government will soon kick off a major campaign to counter the online lure of Islamic extremists.

It follows the interception of two teenage brothers at Sydney airport, after suspicions they planned to join the conflict in the Middle East.