We’re hearing a lot these days about online extremism and radicalization. Headlines often focus on young people, especially teen boys and young men, who have been drawn into hateful movements, conspiracy theories or even violence after spending time in online communities. But girls, women and older men can also be vulnerable to radicalization and can play active roles in extremist movements.
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These cases are real, and they’re deeply troubling. But the vast majority of people, including teens, who encounter extremist content online don’t embrace it. They recognize it for what it is and move on.
There are steps technology companies can take to reduce exposure to extremist content, such as changing recommendation algorithms so they are less likely to amplify inflammatory and extreme posts simply because they generate engagement. Platforms can also do more to identify and remove content that violates their policies, disrupt coordinated recruitment efforts and provide users with tools to report harmful behavior while responding to those reports so users know their concerns are being addressed.
But, at least for now, there is no way to completely eliminate this type of material from the internet. What we can do is encourage people to become more resilient by recognizing manipulation, questioning what they see and resisting online rabbit holes that can harm both themselves and others.
Doesn’t happen at once
As Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a professor at American University and director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), explained during a recent ConnectSafely podcast, young people may be drawn to extremist identities that “might not align with their actual values but seem persuasive at the time.”
Radicalization doesn’t happen all at once. “A typical pathway today for a young person, which is the population at the biggest risk of violence, is that at some point they’re exposed to harmful content online, like extremely violent material or connecting with bad actors in an online gaming context,” Miller-Idriss said.
Risk factors can include feeling lonely or socially isolated, experiencing bullying, coping with major family changes, previous trauma, or struggling with anxiety or emotional distress. Adolescence is also a time when many young people are searching for identity, purpose and acceptance, needs that can be exploited by those who offer simple answers or someone to blame.
Repeated exposure to harmful content can gradually make it seem more normal. “Some people have more vulnerabilities than others,” Miller-Idriss said. “They may be more isolated, or they may have had adverse childhood experiences that make them emotionally dysregulated or lonely. They may start to form a parasocial relationship with an online influencer delivering anti-Semitic or harmful content, which makes that messaging more persuasive. Or they may be manipulated by a deliberate recruiting effort from a bad actor trying to sextort them or groom them toward harmful acts.”
For some vulnerable people, exposure to extremist content goes beyond adopting controversial opinions. Over time, they can come to embrace increasingly extreme worldviews, including the belief that violence is justified or that entire groups of people are less than human. Some are also drawn by the status they believe they’ll gain within certain online communities. As Miller-Idriss put it, “There are subcultural parts to this as well.” In those circles, producing shocking or violent content can bring attention, admiration and status.
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I’m not suggesting that you confront people who post incendiary material. It’s unlikely that an online exchange will change their minds, and it may instead cause them to double down on their views or respond with personal attacks. But if you know someone, especially a child, teen or young adult, who is beginning to embrace conspiracy theories or show an interest in extremist ideas, it may not be too late to help. There are no guarantees, but a caring conversation, genuine curiosity and a willingness to understand what is motivating them may make a difference.
“If you can make it clear that you’re listening and engaging with empathy, not judging or shaming, you can sometimes de-escalate the situation,” Miller-Idriss said. “You can say, ‘I respect your opinion, but I see this differently, and here’s why.’ Shaming or humiliating people online often pushes them further into extremist rabbit holes. It requires time, empathy and care.”
The warning signs of radicalization often resemble signs of other problems, so they don’t necessarily mean a young person is being drawn into extremism. But sudden changes can be cause for concern, including withdrawing from longtime friends, becoming unusually secretive or expressing values that are dramatically different from those of the family. In more extreme cases involving online exploitation, warning signs may include self-harm or being pressured to harm other people or animals.
“Parents often sense something is wrong even if they don’t know exactly what it is,” Miller-Idriss said. “Unfortunately, we lack community-based resources to help, and sometimes the behaviors aren’t technically illegal, which makes it hard for law enforcement to intervene.”
Raising a resilient generation plus adult role modeling
Although there is no single solution to online extremism, parents, educators, technology companies, policymakers and communities all have a role to play. The goal isn’t to eliminate every harmful post or hateful idea. It’s to raise a generation that is less likely to be manipulated by them, and for those of us who are older, to model respectful behavior. It’s OK to disagree, but it’s not OK to be disagreeable, and it certainly isn’t OK to be hateful or vicious, in our words or our actions.
You can listen to my complete interview with Miller-Idriss or read the full transcript at ConnectSafely.org/radicalization.
Larry Magid is a tech journalist and internet safety activist. Contact him at [email protected].
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