PAVE Training Module 2

Section outline

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  Photo Source: MacDonald,Stuart. ‘’How Tech Companies are Trying to Disrupt Terrorist Social Media Activity.’’ June 26, 2018. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-tech-companies-are-trying-to-disrupt-terrorist-social-media-activity/.

  Extremist groups will engage with anyone they feel may be able to be susceptible to their messaging - ranging from youth to adults and everywhere in between.  From an outside perspective, it is easy for us to categorize anyone recruited online as ‘gullible’ or ‘naïve’, but this is simply not the case. In fact, many people who become influenced or radicalized by online propaganda did not seek it out—they were intentionally targeted and unaware of the radicalization agenda.  

  Radicalization is more widespread where conditions of inequality and political frustration prevail. It often takes root in people who sympathize with the plight of the oppressed and wish to show their solidarity. It also looks to capitalize on people’s vulnerabilities and insecurities and connect them with like-minded individuals to give them a sense of community and belonging within an online space.

  Humans intrinsically search for a sense of belonging. Social media sites allow for introverts and extroverts alike to communicate with others - whenever they like - and generally along topics of interest. A filter bubble can cause users to have significantly less contact with contradicting viewpoints, causing the user to become intellectually isolated and in a ‘bubble’ of their own beliefs and perceptions related to political and social ideologies. Personalized search results on Google and personalized news streams on Facebook are two perfect examples of this phenomenon.

  Let's look more at how extremists create a sense of belonging and capitalize on filter bubbles: Chat rooms offer a place for individuals to engage in networking and connectivity opportunities, often amongst people with similar ideas. This space reinforces interpersonal relationships and creates a sense of belonging. However, extremists have also been known to share information on these platforms, such as photos, videos, blogs, guides, etc. Additionally, these spaces are easy for group mobilization through exploiting collective identities or through relational and emotional bonds in order to achieve endorsement of extremist values.

  In Tunisia, PAVE research found many webpages claiming a ‘primary belonging,’ through a regional identity, such as Abnaou Al Janoub' (people of southern Tunisia). This claim represents a certain type of solidarity, which is more or less temporary, but can be revived at any time, following any incident, decision or simple event. 

  
  

  

  
  

  Source: DARE. ‘’How Important Are Online Spaces to Radicalization.’’ June, 2021. https://www.dare-h2020.org/uploads/1/2/1/7/12176018/rb_-_online_spaces_final_version.pdf.

  This method of engagement by extremists is through a method known as narrowcasting. 

  Narrowcasting aims messages at specific segments of the public defined by values, preferences, demographic attributes, or subscription. An online page, video, or chat’s name, images, appeals, and information are tailored to match the profile of a particular social group. In short, it is disseminating information to a smaller group rather than a wide audience.  

  For instance, in Lebanon, the PAVE project noted youth resorted mostly to online media and communication channels specifically in their search for reassurance and guidance. They believed that their new affiliation would provide them with a sense of belonging and identity given the void in collective belonging. 

  Watch this example of a young man interacting with an extremist via a video game:

  Source: Devon County Council. ‘’Safer Devon: Online Radicalization.’’ November 2, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHmOnCRAGvw&t=33s.

  
  

  • Select activity Reflection Questions Part 4

    

    Reflection Questions Part 4 Quiz

    

What Tactics Do Violent Extremists Use to Radicalize Individuals?

Jump to... Main learning site Session 1: Objectives and Expected Results How Does the Internet Support and Create Opportunities for Extremist Narratives and Radicalization? Digital Recruitment in Today's Society What Tactics Do Violent Extremists Use to Radicalize Individuals? How and Why Do Youth Become Key Targets for Radicalization and Recruitment? Gendered Lens: How and Why Do Women Become Key Targets for Radicalization and Recruitment? How Does Religion Influence Online Recruitment and Radicalization? What About Policymakers? How do They Support Radicalization and Resilience Factors? Additional Resources for Session 1 Session 2: Objectives and Expected Results What Could An Extremist Narrative Look Like? How Can We Address Online Radicalization and Recruitment? What is Counter or Alternative Messaging and How Can it Be Used to Prevent Radicalization? Building a Strategic Campaign Guidelines for Creating an Effective Campaign Mapping Your Target Audience How is Our Target Audience Currently Interacting with Extremist Content? How to Craft Your Counter or Alternative Message Tactics to Disseminate Your Campaign Messages Your Counter or Alternative Narrative Campaign is Launched - Now What? Evaluating Your Counter or Alternative Narrative Campaign Now It’s Your Turn to Make a Counter Narrative Campaign! Additional Resources for Session 2 Session 3: Objectives and Expected Results Being Safe When Using Online Spaces Safety Through An Inclusive Lens What if Someone I know is Talking to an Unsafe Person? Key Considerations for Building Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration and Trust to Prevent Online Radicalization and Recruitment Additional Resources for Session 3 Print Your Course Certificate

How and Why Do Youth Become Key Targets for Radicalization and Recruitment?