EU warns of new menace 25 years after 9/11 as online youths seek violent thrills
Also reported by AP News
Summary
Jihadist groups remain a threat to Europe 25 years after the 9/11 attacks, but a new type of violent extremism is emerging among young people online. This new violence is not driven by political ideas but by a desire for violent thrills and online status, often involving youth who share content secretly on social media.Key Facts
- European police found about 4,340 web addresses linked to an online violent community called “The COM.”
- Last year, 45 terrorist attacks took place in 10 EU countries, with six deaths and many arrests.
- Jihadist groups caused over half of these attacks and made up more than 70% of arrests.
- Around one-third of people arrested for terrorism in the EU were under 18, mostly boys.
- Nihilistic violent extremism involves violence for its own sake, without political motives.
- Examples include a 16-year-old in Finland stabbing classmates and sharing a video online.
- These acts are connected to online groups that recruit and influence young people, often behind encrypted platforms.
- One noted online violent group, 764, was founded by an American who is now in prison for child pornography and sex crimes.
