Internet, the great radicalizer? Exploring relationships between seeking for online extremist materials and cognitive radicalization in young adults. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frissen, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 114(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Information seeking -- Propaganda -- Juvenile delinquency -- Moral disengagement -- Cognitive radicalization -- Extremism; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2020.106549
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: Anecdotal evidence asserts that extremist materials on the internet play a decisive role in radicalization processes. However, due to a structural absence of empirical data in the current literature, it remains uncertain if—and to what extent—online extremist materials radicalize. Therefore, the approach of the current study was two-fold. First, we explored what types of online jihadist media are pro-actively sought and consumed by young adults. Second, we investigated if and how active exposure to online jihadist media is related to cognitive radicalization, whilst taking into account one's moral disengagement, prior involvement in petty crime, and socio-demographics. Cross-sectional data analyses within a sample of Belgian young adults (n = 1, 872) show that beheading videos—the most violent and radical form of any of the jihadist materials under scrutiny—were most sought online (36%), but were, paradoxically, the least predictive for radicalization. On the contrary, the rather static jihadist magazines were sought by a small minority (10–11%) but were the most strongly associated with radicalization. A stepwise linear regression analysis and Structural Equation Model support our hypothesis that the process of cognitive radicalization is a complex, phasic trajectory from actively seeking out extremist materials to sympathies for violent political behaviors. Highlights: Empirically testing the assumption that the internet contributes to radicalization outcomes. Using large N to identify relationships between different types of radical content exposure and radicalization outcomes. Beheading videos are the most sought radical materials, but the least associated with cognitive radicalization. Jihadist magazines are least sought, but the strongest related to cognitive radicalization.