The AIVD observes that minors increasingly pose a terrorist threat due to their jihadist or right-wing terrorist ideologies. The internet plays a crucial role in the radicalization of these youths.
Online, they encounter jihadist and right-wing terrorist propaganda, which is not always recognizable as terrorist content. Easy exposure to this propaganda combined with identity development and potential psychosocial issues makes minors susceptible to radicalization. To counter this threat, a tailored approach is necessary. This approach can range from assistance and guidance to the application of juvenile criminal law. This is stated in the letter that Minister Uitermark of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations sent to the House of Representatives today.
The AIVD currently sees dozens of minors posing a threat to national security. In the publication “A Web of Hate - The Online Grip of Extremism and Terrorism on Minors” the AIVD describes the threat posed by online radicalizing minors aged 12 to 17. These youths view, create, and spread terrorist propaganda and often have online contact with jihadists or right-wing terrorism supporters. Planning or committing an attack is often a topic of discussion. The AIVD notes that in some cases, actual preparations for an attack are underway.
Online Dissemination via Social Media and Gaming Platforms
The dissemination of terrorist messages by minors often occurs via social media and gaming platforms such as Instagram, Discord, Roblox, Telegram, and TikTok. Content sharing takes place both in open chat groups and channels as well as in private chat groups and online private conversations. Within open chat groups and channels, not all extremist and terrorist propaganda is immediately recognizable. This is due to the use of subtle references to the ideology, such as certain emoticons or words with double meanings. For example, jihadists use a black flag to refer to ISIS, and the word ‘kebab’ in right-wing terrorist chat groups refers to Muslims.
In private chat groups and conversations, participants often share more explicit content. This can include images, videos, or texts that confirm and support the extremist or terrorist worldview, or content that justifies and glorifies violence.
Jihadist and Right-Wing Terrorist Propaganda
Virtually all jihadist content spread online comes from ISIS supporters. The minor supporters actively spread jihadist content and discuss joining ISIS.
Right-wing terrorist content is based on several right-wing extremist movements, such as accelerationism. Accelerationists glorify terrorist violence in online groups with the aim of sparking a race war. Anti-Semitism predominates within right-wing terrorist groups, which may also target other minorities and/or government institutions.
Importance of Tailored Approaches
To counter the terrorist threat posed by minors, tailored approaches are needed. These often consist of (a combination of) assistance, guidance, and a legal framework.
Sometimes the terrorist threat posed by minors can be mitigated with guidance. This can help minors break away from jihadist or right-wing terrorist ideologies. In other cases, this approach is not effective enough, and involving the juvenile justice chain is necessary. Close collaboration between the AIVD, other security chain partners, the social domain, and the care domain can provide the necessary tailored approach.
Are there concerns about a minor? On Rijksoverheid.nl/hulp-bij-radicalisering there is an overview of agencies that can help.
Documents
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A Web of Hate - The Online Grip of Extremism and Terrorism on Minors
The AIVD observes that minors increasingly pose a terrorist threat due to their jihadist or right-wing terrorist ...
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Decision Note for the Parliamentary Letter A Web of Hate - The Online Grip of Extremism and Terrorism on Minors
Decision Note for the Parliamentary Letter A Web of Hate - The Online Grip of Extremism and Terrorism on Minors