Radicalisation within the digital age – risks, processes and strategies for prevention
Academic research has recently shown the influence of the internet in processes of radicalisation. The internet and especially social media offer new opportunities for extremists to disseminate propaganda online. The internet facilitates the use of uncontrolled, quick and cheap information transfer for extremists to connect, interact and communicate with a broader audience. In this context, extremists can take advantage of the lack of external control and anonymity that the internet offers.
Until now, many aspects of online radicalisation have been insufficiently explored. The main research issues are the influences of the internet on promoting radicalisation processes and the connection between new media and radicalisation.
Project objectives:
The project “Radicalisation within the digital age – risks, processes and strategies for prevention (RadigZ)” is dedicated to the following objectives:
- Exploration of vulnerability factors
- Indication of the risk level
- Study of scenarios regarding radicalisation and deradicalisation
- Analysis of the impact of internet-based propaganda
- Evaluation and critical analysis of already existing preventive measures
- Summary of research dealing with radicalisation
- Development of preventive measures
RadigZ is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the field of “Civilian Security – Aspects and Measures of Counter-Terrorism” within the program “Research for Civil Security 2012 – 2017”.
Project period:
15.02.2017 – 14.08.2020
