SRL Talks #1: Exploring the Demand Side of Online Radicalization
SRL Talks #1: Exploring the Demand Side of Online Radicalization
The first event of the SRL Talks series was organized by the Swiss Security Research and Rule of Law Association on December 24, 2024. The event, titled “Exploring the Demand Side of Online Radicalization,” featured Dr. Davut Akça and Dr. Mehmet Fatih Baştuğ, who discussed the impact of social media and the internet on radicalization processes.
Key Topics Covered
The event focused on academic research findings aimed at understanding online radicalization processes. The speakers examined how individuals become radicalized through social media, the propaganda strategies of extremist groups, and recruitment methods in digital environments.
Some key findings presented include:
- The role of social media in radicalization: According to the research, 64% of the examined individuals reported that social media played a significant role in their radicalization process.
- Demographic analysis: Among the 51 individuals analyzed, 47 were male and 4 were female. A recent increase in female participation in extremist groups has been observed.
- Average age of radicalization: The study found that the average age at which individuals began radicalization was 21 years old.
- Foreign participation rate: 55% of the participants joined extremist groups in conflict zones, particularly in Syria.
Policy Recommendations and Solutions
The event also addressed potential solutions for combating online radicalization:
- Removing extremist content: Governments and technology companies should collaborate to eliminate extremist content from social media platforms.
- Developing counter-narratives: Promoting moderate and evidence-based perspectives to counter radical ideologies is essential.
- Enhancing rehabilitation programs: Instead of solely punitive approaches, rehabilitation-focused programs should be implemented for individuals at risk of radicalization.
- Utilizing artificial intelligence: AI-powered filtering systems should be employed to detect and remove extremist content effectively.
Conclusion and Future Perspectives
The event underscored the multifaceted role of social media in the radicalization process. It was highlighted that social media serves both as a trigger for initial radicalization and as a continuous tool for recruitment and propaganda. A balanced approach was emphasized, ensuring that security measures do not infringe upon freedom of expression.
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Who is Dr. Davut Akça?
Dr. Davut Akça is an Assistant Professor of Criminology in the Interdisciplinary Studies Department at Lakehead University. He holds a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology and an M.A. in Criminology. He completed his undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice at the Turkish National Police Academy. Before joining academia, he worked as a Research Officer at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies at the University of Saskatchewan (2019-2021).
Dr. Akça’s research interests include policing, investigative interviewing, indigenous policing, prison chaplaincy, radicalization, program evaluation in criminal justice, and hate crimes. He also teaches the following courses:
- Research Methods in Criminology
- Policing
- Investigative Interviewing
- Program Evaluation in Criminal Justice
- Program Evaluation in the Social Justice Context
Before pursuing graduate studies, he served for five years as a ranked police officer and crime analyst in the Organized Crime Department of the Turkish National Police.
Who is Dr. Mehmet Fatih Baştuğ?
Dr. Mehmet Fatih Baştuğ is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity Master of Science Program at the University of Scranton. Before joining the University of Scranton, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Cincinnati and Ontario Tech University (UOIT) and taught courses at Lakehead University and UOIT.
Dr. Baştuğ is a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and was recognized among the Top 100 Certified Ethical Hackers in the World by EC-Council in 2021. He teaches cybersecurity and homeland security courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
His research focuses on cybersecurity, cyberterrorism, online radicalization, and violent extremism.