Radicalization messages targeting teens online is on the rise

Published October 25, 2023 By admin with Comments 0

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Teenage terrorism inspired by social media is on the rise according to local FBI Agents, and It’s just one of the reasons why the federal agency is hosting an event to keep kids safe from radicalization and other online influences.

FBI agents say radicalization online isn’t necessarily a new threat but just how often it’s happening is alarming. We spoke with a social media expert who offered advice every parent needs to hear.

“Those predators online are studying your children. They’re studying our children, they’re studying their behaviors, they’re studying what makes them happy, what makes them sad, and they understand how to communicate properly to get the right results,” Social Media Expert, Dwann Holmes, said.

It’s a chilling reality that’s lurking on almost every social media site according to law enforcement. The threat of online radicalization, which is when someone is introduced to an ideological belief or message, that is justified by violence or hate.

“These are predators who are targeting children trying to push their extremist views on them, and then motivating those children to commit violent acts to further their extremist views and it’s concerning for us because we are seeing the hate speech online,” FBI Public Affairs Officer, Amanda Videll, said.

Videll says federal investigators are tracking a dramatic increase in hate speech online, targeting people because of their race, ancestry, religion, or sexual orientation. Along with that hate speech, Videll says extremists are using social media to introduce kids to harmful ideas.

Content retrieved from: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/10/25/radicalization-messages-targeting-teens-online-is-on-the-rise/.