Digital media as a potential gateway for extremism
As a communication, information and entertainment tool, digital media penetrates all areas of everyday life - now in almost all age groups. They are a blessing and a curse at the same time. On the one hand, they provide every conceivable piece of information, regardless of time and location. They offer entertainment galore and connect with almost anyone in the world in seconds. On the other hand, the Internet also serves anti-constitutional and anti-human groups. On the Internet, they can spread their messages to a large number of people in a very short space of time, promote their extremist ideologies and call for crimes.
Right-wing extremist and Islamist offerings are particularly common on the German-speaking Internet. But people from the left-wing extremist spectrum also use digital media to distribute their content. In addition to the contact options in the “offline world”, such as in prisons, sports clubs, leisure facilities or in the immediate social environment, online offers represent a potential gateway for extremism.
Algorithms and subtle propaganda
Extremist overtures conveyed online aim to recruit, mobilize and retain followers. Since not all content is easily recognizable as extremist, this is particularly challenging for political education work and media education. In addition, the functionalities of many online offerings, such as automated algorithms, contribute to the dissemination of radical content or convey its relevance through prioritized presentation. Subtle forms of propaganda such as so-called fake news , conspiracy stories or the humorous and satirical presentation of extremist content in the form of videos or memes make it extremely difficult to automatically detect and delete such content.
Against this background, the following questions arise for educational prevention work: Where and how is extremist content spread? To what extent do extremist groups differ in their choice of specific communication methods on the Internet? What effects do the chosen communication methods have on those addressed? And how can these attempts at manipulation be countered?
Different ideologies in the same channels
The channels and forms of communication that extremists use to spread their different beliefs online are diverse. Since social networks (e.g. YouTube, Instagram) account for a large proportion of the daily media use of teenagers and young adults, they are particularly suitable as propaganda channels. Materials that are distributed via “classic” social media platforms enjoy the advantage that users perceive them in everyday contexts without a clear extremist framework. As a result, extremist actors effectively place ideological ideas in public, virtual space and in the media mainstream.
Due to the increasing regulation of social media, for example through the Network Search Act (NetzDG), messenger services such as Telegram more important. Such private or semi-private communication channels enable exchanges away from the public, which take place via closed servers. In this way, the communication that takes place there escapes control and sanctions from outside – for example by security authorities or activists with opposing positions. Due to the hidden nature of communication, the term “dark social” used for this. [1]
Advantages of social media as a propaganda tool
The use of social media has significant advantages for broadcasters: users not only consume extremist content with every click, but also spread it - even if sometimes unwillingly. The high reach of stars, influencers, musicians in the respective scene can also be specifically exploited for the mass distribution of radical content. Like “classic” influencers, supposed insights into the private life, emotions and thoughts of the respective protagonists ensure proximity to the community and the development of parasocial relationships. [2] Brands and symbols typical of the scene also offer opportunities for identification and recognition for members of the respective group in the offline context, for example when they are worn on clothing.
Blogs, forums and video channels are other important channels
Other important distribution channels for extremist content are blogs and forums. These are typically used to promote extremist views, mobilize supporters or provide instructions to local extremist groups. This includes, for example, information on how to deal with minorities, information on the credibility of the media or instructions for purchasing and building weapons.
online and video games are also important means of extremist propaganda. [3] Furthermore, game elements are used in contexts that at first glance have nothing to do with gaming (gamification).
Sources
[1] Madrigal, AC (2012): Dark Social: We Have the Whole History of the Web Wrong. Accessed on April 27, 2021. back to top
[2] Dittrich, M. et al. (2020): Alternative realities – monitoring right-wing alternative media strategies.
Accessed on November 3, 2020. [3] Schlegel, L. (2020): Jumanji Extremism? How games and gamification could facilitate radicalization processes. Journal for Deradicalization, 23. Retrieved May 25, 2021
Source and thanks to Dr. Josephine B. Schmitt, Scientific Coordinator, CAIS from the State Media Center Baden-Württemberg
Do you want to know more about extremism?
Also read: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns about extremist conspiracy theories
Facebook warns users about extremists
6 tips for civilian heroes against extremism
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

