Youth and Extremism: How Younger Generations are becoming more vulnerable to Radicalisation

In 2020, nearly 1 in 3 young people in Europe (aged 16-24) encountered extremist content online (UNESCO, 2017) , with social media platforms as the primary gateway, creating a pressing global issue. This highlights a troubling yet evident new reality: today’s youth are not just shaping their worldviews in the digital domain but are increasingly exposed to dangerous ideologies. This alarming statistic demonstrates how media’s growing accessibility shapes the next generation, where extremist ideologies thrive in the shadow of targeted, ‘clickbait,’ and viral content. The ubiquity of extremist content through platforms like YouTube and TikTok is increasing concerns not only impressionability but the consequences, including violence.

It is worth our while to take a deep dive into the root causes of this phenomenon and the world it is creating, as well as the next steps needed to prevent it from spiralling out of control in our increasingly digital world. As online spaces become more integrated into daily life, it is essential to understand why younger people are particularly influenced by radical views. This essay will explore the psychological and social factors behind youth vulnerability, the challenges in combating this phenomenon, and examine the necessary steps and preventative methods to prevent further escalation in a world that must strive to live together peacefully.

The Psychology and Vulnerability of Youth

Adolescence is a period of increased vulnerability, characterised by a search for identity and belonging. At this stage, young people are more malleable to the influence of external ideas, making them prime targets for intolerant ideologies. This developmental stage, marked by personal development and emotional turbulence, makes them especially susceptible to radicalisation. At this juncture, the desire for social acceptance can eclipse critical reasoning; extremist ideologies often promise a sense of clarity, purpose, and community that may seem missing during this phase. The individual’s search for answers to questions about identity, justice or social integration, can make extremist narratives particularly compelling, as they offer a simple, binary framework of “us vs. them”; appealing to a need for direction when they are lost.

Social media plays a significant role in amplifying this by creating personalised environments that feed into existing biases, selectively reinforcing content while excluding moderated and diverse perspectives. This process of “radicalisation by algorithm” fosters an environment where an individual is less likely to encounter challenge their worldviews, making them prone to adopting extreme ideologies without fully understanding their complexities or consequences. Additionally, the emotional coercion often used by fringe movements—playing on feelings of anger, alienation, or fear—can exacerbate this into a cycle of polarisation, where their personal fragilities are exploited in service of a divisive cause. The combination of a yearning for inclusion, imposition of social media and lack of emotional discernment, create a perfect storm that can make youth especially prone to adopting violent doctrines.

The Role of Media

Today’s media landscape thrives on sensationalism, with constant streams of panic-inducing content designed to heighten anxiety. This not only isolates us in ideological bubbles but prevents us from engaging with balanced moderated viewpoints (TED Talks, 2011) . News providers, driven by the need for consumer engagement, often focus on gripping issues—political unrest, economic crises, or societal polarisation—purposefully framing events to propagate fear and urgency.

Social channels amplify this, as their algorithms are designed to prioritise content which evoke significant emotional reactions, often providing a distorted view of the world. For young people, whose development is still unfolding, this constant exposure can make it difficult to recognise nuance. The tailored nature—shaped not only by personal interests but also by local politics—can entrench individuals in their own silos.

Governments worldwide have recognised the power of media to influence public sentiment, and some have even targeted content, designed to provoke a response or shift opinions. Whether via sponsored disinformation or subtle narrative manipulation (European Commission, 2021) , young people in different regions may receive tailored messages that guide individuals into opinions they would not have formed on their own. This localised content, often aimed to resonate with specific cultural anxieties, makes it even more difficult for individuals to encounter alternative perspectives.

As a result, many adolescents find themselves trapped in echo chambers distorting their own views. A good example of this was highlighted in the American elections with an increase in divides and persistent protesting for polarised views often split by state (confined to their own news providers and channels) (Alexander, 2024) .

In Theroux’s Forbidden America, Jack, a young man drawn into the alt-right through social media, became active in promoting extremist views and even attended far-right rallies. His immersion in online content fuelled his anger and resentment, leading him to act on these beliefs. This example illustrates how online radicalisation can lead to real-world actions, as well as the difficult process of disengaging from extremist beliefs (Louis Theroux’s Forbidden America. Series 1: 1 Extreme and Online, 2022) .

What can be done about this?

The world our parents grew up in is no longer the world we live in today. With the rise of social media and constant digital connectivity, young people are exposed to a global torrent of information—both empowering and, at times, dangerously radicalising. In this new digital landscape, digital literacy programs in schools are crucial for helping students develop the critical thinking skills needed to navigate online content. These programs can teach young people how to spot extremist rhetoric, recognise manipulation tactics, and resist harmful ideologies before they take root. Parents and educators also play a vital role in monitoring behavioural shifts, such as increased isolation or radical views, as early intervention can prevent further escalation.

However, digital literacy’s (UNESCO, 2022) need extends beyond younger generations—we all must understand the new dynamics of our interconnected world. The responsibility to understand and address the challenges posed by online radicalisation is collective, as these issues impact our global village. Social media platforms have a responsibility to step up, strengthening content moderation and creating systems to prevent extremist material from reaching vulnerable youth without temperance.

Summary

Whilst the internet provides connection and learning opportunities, it also presents significant risks, particularly for the vulnerable. By understanding the psychological and social factors at play and implementing effective solutions like digital literacy and early intervention, we can protect future generations from the dangers of online extremism. By understanding the psychological factors that fuel extremism, recognising the role of social media in amplifying divisive content, and implementing proactive strategies—such as digital literacy programs and early intervention (RUSI, 2020) —we can mitigate these risks.

Protecting future generations requires a collective effort: educators, parents, social media platforms, and governments must collaborate to create safer online spaces and foster critical thinking skills. Only through shared responsibility can we mitigate this growing threat; so the internet remains a tool for positive engagement, rather than a breeding ground for global peace threatening ideologies.

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