Kids these days are extremely adept at creating an online community out of nothing and amassing social media followers. Normally a popular Twitter or Youtube account provides teens with Unfortunately for seventeen year-old Ali Amin of Northern Virginia, creating and moderating a widely followed ISIS propaganda Twitter account is a federal offense.

Amin was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton to 11 years and four months in federal prison for supporting the Islamic State. The prosecution asked for a 15 year sentence.

Amin’s prolific Twitter account @AmreekiWitness posted 7,000 pro-ISIS propaganda and recruitment messages to 4,000 followers, who in turn retweeted those messages to their followers. Amin also singlehandedly convinced his friend, 18 year-old Reza Niknejad, to join ISIS and used his social media contacts to help Niknejad get to Syria.

ISIS’ unprecedented use of social media allows the group to connect with lone wolves and sympathizers across the world. The fact that someone as young as Amin became devoted to the cause is a testament to the effectiveness of ISIS propaganda.

The government has investigated and arrested 60 people for supporting ISIS, including an American couple who tried to join ISIS while on their honeymoon.