In connection with the foiled attack on the Vienna Pride parade, according to reports from the Standard, social media, such as TikTok, are once again in the spotlight as platforms for the radicalization of young people. But how far does the influence of these platforms actually extend?
Social media as weapons of radicalization
Terrorism expert Nicolas Stockhammer from Danube University Krems emphasizes that the young men involved were most likely not radicalized via hidden forums on the dark web, but via common social media Almost 80 percent of people who become radicalized do so via internet and social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitch.
The challenges of investigative work
Omar Hajawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN), emphasizes that extensive data was secured in the course of the investigation. However, evaluating this data will take some time. He also stressed the need for additional powers to better monitor communications in advance of a possible threat.
Changes in the recruiting landscape
Peter R. Neumann, an extremism researcher at King's College London, notes that the recruitment of potential extremists has changed. Despite the decline in radicalization networks, the Internet, especially TikTok, is playing an increasingly important role in this process.
The role of TikTok and other platforms
TikTok, a video app particularly popular among young people, is different from other social media platforms. Your algorithm decides which content to present to users based on previous user behavior. At the end of 2021, experts criticized the standard for saying that, if used skillfully, the app could provide a platform for extremist and radical content.
Impact and countermeasures
Despite the criticism, TikTok has not yet done enough to address these problems, Neumann said. The state is also having difficulty developing effective countermeasures to hate preachers.
This problem is not just limited to TikTok
The Documentation Center for Political Islam published a publication entitled “Young, hip, Islamist” . It describes the activities of Islamist influencers who cultivate a modern image and reinterpret current social issues in the spirit of an Islamist understanding.
The challenge remains: How can the radicalization of young people through social media be effectively combated while preserving the freedom of the Internet and social media? This question will certainly be discussed and researched further in the coming years.
We at Mimikama and the dual role of social media in radicalization
As an organization dedicated to raising awareness about internet fraud, misinformation and media literacy, we see the ambivalent role that platforms like TikTok can play in radicalization.
TikTok: A platform for creativity and threats
TikTok was originally designed as a creative and entertaining medium, but if used improperly, it can become a powerful tool for spreading radical ideologies. What is particularly worrying is that the TikTok algorithm, which is based on personalized content, can also unintentionally promote radical content. However, the exact functioning of this algorithm remains largely obscure, making it difficult to develop effective prevention measures.
The challenge of control and regulation
Controlling and regulating content on social media is a complex task. So finding the right balance is crucial. On the one hand, freedom of expression must be preserved, but on the other hand, it is important to limit the spread of harmful or radicalizing content.
Education and awareness as key
We believe that education and awareness-raising are crucial in this context . Young people need to be better informed about how to stay safe online and how to identify potentially harmful content. They should also be encouraged to think critically and verify information from various sources before accepting it as true.
Collaboration between governments and social media platforms
We emphasize the need for increased collaboration between governments and social media platforms. It is important that these companies recognize their responsibilities and take active measures to prevent the spread of radicalizing content. At the same time, governments must create a legal framework that holds these companies accountable while protecting the rights of users.
Note: Extremism Advice Center
The Extremism Advice Center is an Austria-wide contact point.
It helps when relatives, social workers, teachers or other people are worried that someone in their environment may have joined an extremist group.
You will receive advice on all questions relating to extremism (political and religious extremism such as right-wing extremism or jihadism, conspiracy theories, fundamentalist groups, etc. Are you worried about your child?
Trying out extremes, aggressive behavior, lying, rebellion against parents - that can be completely normal behavior for young people during puberty. But when does it become dangerous?
The advice center offers a helpline , personal advice, professional expertise and training . The advice is anonymous, confidential and free of charge.
Source:
- The standard
- Ö1 morning journal
- Documentation Center for Political Islam
- federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
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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 )


