2
How Is Social Media Hurting Domestic Terrorism
How Is Social Media Hurting Domestic Terrorism
Table of Contents
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………….3
Chapter 1 Background …………………………………………………………………….4
Chapter 2 Literature Review ………………………………………………………………6
Buffalo Shooting……………………………………………………………………6
Connection Between Radicalization And The Internet…………………………….8
Breaching the United States Capitol Building………………………………………11
Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression………………………….13
Real Examples of Social Media and Domestic Terrorism……………………………15
Chapter 3 Discussion………………………………………………………………………….17
Chapter 4 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….21
ABSTRACT
Chapter I: Background Information
Social media has become a huge part of our daily lives, connecting us with friends, family, and news from around the world. However, alongside its benefits, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have also become breeding grounds for harmful ideas, including those associated with domestic terrorism. In this research essay, we will explore how social media worsens the problem of domestic terrorism and the various ways it contributes to this issue. From enabling extremist groups to share their violent beliefs to serving as tools for recruitment and coordination of attacks, social media plays a significant role in perpetuating the cycle of violence. It’s essential to understand the impact of social media on domestic terrorism to address this pressing societal concern and work towards keeping our communities safe.
Top of Form
Firstly, social media makes it easy for extremist groups to share their violent beliefs with a wide audience. They can post videos, messages, and articles promoting their ideologies, reaching people who may be vulnerable to radicalization. This widespread dissemination of extremist content can lead to individuals adopting violent beliefs and ideologies.
Additionally, social media platforms are used by domestic terrorists to recruit new members. They can target people who might be feeling isolated or vulnerable and convince them to join their cause. Through persuasive messaging and online communities, terrorists can expand their networks and increase their capacity for violence.
Another problem is how social media can normalize extremist ideologies. Algorithms on these platforms often prioritize content that generates a lot of engagement, even if it’s controversial or divisive. This means that extremist views can be promoted to a wider audience, potentially making them seem more acceptable or mainstream.
Moreover, social media is also used as a tool for planning and coordinating terrorist attacks. The ease of communication and organization provided by these platforms allows terrorists to strategize and carry out attacks more efficiently and discreetly. They can share information and instructions in real-time, making it easier to coordinate simultaneous or coordinated attacks.
Furthermore, social media plays a role in radicalizing individuals. People who spend a lot of time on these platforms can be exposed to extremist content, which can slowly push them towards adopting more extreme beliefs. This process of radicalization can make individuals more likely to support or even participate in acts of violence.
The issue of social media’s impact on domestic terrorism is a serious one that needs to be addressed. The normalization and spread of extremist ideologies through these platforms pose a threat to public safety and national security. It’s important for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and social media companies to work together to find solutions to this problem.
Efforts should be made to combat the spread of extremist content online and to promote digital literacy among users. By educating people about the dangers of radicalization and providing them with the tools to critically evaluate the content they see online, we can help prevent the spread of violent ideologies. Additionally, greater collaboration between stakeholders is needed to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing domestic terrorism facilitated by social media.
Social media’s role in exacerbating the problem of domestic terrorism cannot be ignored. By understanding how these platforms contribute to the spread of extremist ideologies and the radicalization of individuals, we can work towards finding effective solutions to combat this growing threat to our society.
The goal is to show how social media makes the problem of domestic terrorism worse. We want to prove that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can help terrorists spread their ideas, recruit new members, and plan attacks more easily. By understanding how social media contributes to this problem, we can work towards finding solutions to prevent it. It’s important to address this issue because domestic terrorism harms innocent people and creates fear in our communities.
In this paper you will learn about how social media affects domestic terrorism, you’re understanding how platforms like Facebook and Twitter can make the problem worse. You will discover that social media allows terrorists to spread their ideas quickly, find new members easily, and plan attacks more efficiently. By exploring this topic, you’re gain insight into the ways social media contributes to the issue of domestic terrorism. This knowledge helps you understand the importance of addressing this problem to keep communities safe and prevent harm to innocent people.
Chapter II: Literature Review
Buffalo Shooting
An article by Michael Hill discusses the aftermath of a tragic shooting incident in Buffalo and the survivors’ perspective on the role of social media companies and a body armor maker in enabling the perpetrator. According to the survivors, the shooter had a history of posting threatening messages on social media platforms, which were not adequately addressed by these companies despite reports from concerned individuals. This lack of action allowed the shooter to continue his harmful behavior unchecked. Additionally, the article highlights the survivors’ criticism of a body armor manufacturer for selling protective gear to individuals without proper background checks or regulations in place. This enabled the shooter to acquire the necessary equipment to carry out the attack more effectively.
The survivors’ accounts shed light on the potential shortcomings of social media companies in monitoring and responding to threatening content on their platforms. Despite numerous reports about the shooter’s alarming posts, these companies failed to take sufficient action to prevent the tragedy. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of their content moderation policies and the responsibility they bear in ensuring the safety of their users.
Furthermore, the article underscores the need for tighter regulations on the sale and distribution of body armor. The ease with which the shooter obtained protective gear highlights loopholes in existing laws that allow individuals with malicious intent to acquire such equipment with minimal oversight. The survivors advocate for stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including background checks and age restrictions for purchasing body armor.
Overall, the article presents a compelling argument regarding the culpability of social media companies and a body armor manufacturer in enabling the Buffalo shooting. Through the survivors’ testimonies, it highlights the failures of these entities to address warning signs and implement adequate safeguards, ultimately contributing to the tragic outcome. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proactive measures to prevent gun violence and hold accountable those who facilitate it through their products or platforms.
The article by Hill (2023) talks about how social media companies and a body armor maker might have helped the person who did the Buffalo shooting. This shows how social media can make domestic terrorism worse. Social media can let bad people share their ideas easily and find others who might agree with them. It can also help them plan attacks and get weapons or other things they need. So, when social media companies don’t watch out for bad stuff, it can make it easier for terrorists to do bad things.
This article helps us see how social media can be part of the problem with domestic terrorism. It shows how it can help bad people spread their ideas and plan violent acts. This means that we need to be careful about what’s allowed on social media and try to stop bad things from happening. We also need to understand more about how social media works and how it affects people, so we can find ways to make it safer.
Connection Between Radicalization And The Internet
The article “Five Things About the Role of the Internet and Social Media in Domestic Radicalization,” from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), talks about how the internet and social media are affecting the rise of extremism in our country. It explains five important points about how online platforms are influencing people’s beliefs and behaviors.
First, the article says that the internet and social media make it easy for extremists to spread their ideas. People can easily find and share extremist content online, which can influence others to believe in radical ideas. This happens because the internet lets people connect with others who share similar beliefs, making it easier for extremist views to spread.
Second, the article talks about how social media algorithms can make the problem worse. Algorithms are like rules that decide what content people see on their social media feeds. Sometimes, these algorithms show people more extreme or sensational content because it gets more attention. This can make people more likely to see and believe extremist ideas.
Third, the article mentions how people on social media often only see content that agrees with their beliefs. This can create “echo chambers,” where people only hear ideas that support what they already think. When people are only exposed to one side of an issue, it can make them more likely to believe extreme things.
Additionally, the article discusses how online communities and social networks can make people feel like they belong to something bigger. Extremists use these online spaces to connect with others who share their beliefs, which can make them feel validated and more committed to their cause.
Furthermore, the article talks about the challenges of identifying and stopping online radicalization. Unlike in the past, when extremist groups would meet in person, now they can radicalize people online, making it harder for law enforcement to intervene.
In conclusion, the article stresses the importance of finding ways to address the role of the internet and social media in promoting extremism. This includes teaching people to think critically about what they see online, improving communication between tech companies and law enforcement, and taking steps to counter extremist messages online. By understanding how online platforms contribute to radicalization, we can work together to prevent extremism and promote understanding and peace in our communities.
After reading the article from the National Institute of Justice about the role of the internet and social media in domestic radicalization, I believe that social media can indeed contribute to the problem of domestic terrorism. The article explains how social media platforms provide a space for extremists to spread their harmful ideas to a large audience quickly. This can lead to more people being exposed to extremist views and potentially becoming radicalized themselves. Additionally, social media algorithms can make the problem worse by prioritizing sensational or extreme content, which can further amplify extremist narratives and contribute to the spread of radicalization.
Furthermore, the article highlights how social media can create echo chambers where individuals only see content that aligns with their existing beliefs. This can reinforce extremist ideologies and make it harder for individuals to consider alternative perspectives. As a result, social media can deepen divisions within society and create fertile ground for the growth of domestic terrorism.
However, despite its negative impact, I also believe that social media can be used as a tool to combat domestic terrorism. By understanding how extremists use social media to spread their ideas, we can develop strategies to counteract them. For example, increased collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement agencies can help identify and remove harmful content from social media platforms. Additionally, promoting digital literacy and critical thinking skills among the public can empower individuals to recognize and reject extremist propaganda when they encounter it online.
Moreover, social media platforms themselves can take steps to mitigate the spread of extremist content by implementing stricter content moderation policies and algorithms designed to detect and remove harmful material. By working together to address the challenges posed by social media, we can reduce its potential to fuel domestic terrorism and promote a safer and more inclusive online environment.
In conclusion, while social media can exacerbate the problem of domestic terrorism by providing a platform for extremist ideologies to spread, it also presents opportunities for intervention and prevention. By recognizing the role of social media in radicalization and implementing targeted strategies to address it, we can work towards mitigating the harmful effects of online extremism and fostering a more cohesive and tolerant society.
Breaching the United States Capitol Building
In the article “The Internet’s Role in Domestic Terrorism” by Wang (2022), the author talks about how the internet is connected to domestic terrorism. Wang explains that the internet gives extremists a way to share their radical ideas easily. They use social media and other online platforms to find people who agree with them and plan violent acts together. This can lead to more violence and harm in our communities.
Wang also mentions how social media algorithms can make the problem worse. These algorithms decide what content people see on their social media feeds, and sometimes they show extreme or shocking posts because they get more attention. This can make more people see and believe extremist ideas, which can lead to more violent acts like the breach of the Capitol building.
Moreover, the article talks about how people on the internet often only see content that agrees with their own beliefs. This can make them more likely to believe extreme things because they’re not exposed to other viewpoints. Wang also says that online communities can make people feel like they belong to something bigger, which can make them more committed to extremist causes.
Additionally, Wang emphasizes the importance of understanding how the internet contributes to domestic terrorism so we can find ways to stop it. By studying how extremists use the internet, we can develop strategies to counteract them. This could include teaching people to think critically about what they see online and working with social media companies to remove harmful content.
In conclusion, “The Internet’s Role in Domestic Terrorism” by Wang (2022) explains how the internet can make domestic terrorism worse by spreading extremist ideas. By understanding how the internet works, we can find ways to prevent extremism and promote peace and understanding in our communities.
In my opinion, the article “The Internet’s Role in Domestic Terrorism” by Wang (2022) sheds light on how social media plays a significant role in fueling domestic terrorism. The article discusses how social media platforms provide a virtual space for extremists to spread their harmful ideologies, recruit followers, and plan violent acts. This highlights the negative impact of social media on domestic terrorism by enabling the rapid dissemination of extremist content to a wide audience, thereby exacerbating the problem.
Moreover, Wang explains how social media algorithms contribute to the spread of extremist narratives by prioritizing sensationalist and polarizing content. These algorithms often amplify extremist messages, making them more visible to users and increasing the likelihood of radicalization. This underscores how social media can perpetuate domestic terrorism by facilitating the rapid spread of harmful ideologies and inciting individuals to commit violent acts.
However, while the article highlights the detrimental effects of social media on domestic terrorism, it also underscores the potential benefits of addressing this issue. By understanding how social media contributes to the problem of domestic terrorism, policymakers and law enforcement agencies can develop targeted strategies to combat extremism online. This could include implementing stricter content moderation policies, enhancing digital literacy among the public, and fostering collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, Wang’s article emphasizes the importance of public awareness and engagement in addressing the role of social media in domestic terrorism. By educating individuals about the dangers of online extremism and promoting critical thinking skills, we can empower them to recognize and reject extremist propaganda when encountered online. This highlights the potential for social media to be used as a tool for preventing and mitigating the spread of domestic terrorism by promoting informed and responsible online behavior.
In conclusion, while social media undoubtedly exacerbates the problem of domestic terrorism by enabling the rapid dissemination of extremist ideologies, it also presents opportunities for intervention and prevention. By addressing the challenges posed by social media and leveraging its potential benefits, we can work towards mitigating the harmful effects of online radicalization and promoting social cohesion in our communities.
Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression
In the article “The Effects of Social Media on Domestic Terrorism” by Hunter, Biglaiser, McGauvran, and Collins (2022), published in the journal Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, the authors talk about how social media influences domestic terrorism. They explain how platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube make it easy for extremists to spread their radical ideas to a lot of people quickly. Because social media is easy to access and you can stay anonymous, it’s simple for extremists to find others who agree with them and spread their messages.
The article also mentions how social media algorithms make the problem worse. These algorithms decide what you see on your social media feeds, and they often show you more extreme or shocking content because it gets more attention. This means that more people are exposed to extremist ideas, which can lead to more violence in our communities.
Moreover, the authors discuss the challenges of stopping the harmful effects of social media on domestic terrorism. Even though social media companies try to remove extremist content, it’s hard to get rid of it completely because there’s so much being posted all the time. Also, extremist content can spread quickly on social media, which can lead to more people being influenced by it and committing violent acts.
Additionally, the article talks about how social media creates a sense of belonging among extremists. They can connect with others who share their beliefs, which makes them feel like they’re part of something bigger. However, this sense of belonging can also lead to more violence because it makes it easier for extremists to plan and carry out attacks together.
In conclusion, “The Effects of Social Media on Domestic Terrorism” by Hunter, Biglaiser, McGauvran, and Collins (2022) shows how social media contributes to domestic terrorism by allowing extremists to spread their ideas easily. By understanding how social media influences extremism, we can work towards preventing it and promoting peace in our communities.
In my opinion, the article “The Effects of Social Media on Domestic Terrorism” by Hunter, Biglaiser, McGauvran, and Collins (2022) provides valuable insights into how social media contributes to the problem of domestic terrorism. The authors explain how social media platforms make it easy for extremists to spread their harmful ideologies and recruit followers, which can lead to more violence in our communities. This shows how social media is hurting domestic terrorism by providing a platform for extremists to reach a wider audience and incite violence.
Additionally, the article discusses how social media algorithms play a role in exacerbating the problem. These algorithms prioritize extreme or shocking content because it gets more attention, which means that more people are exposed to extremist ideas. This algorithmic amplification makes it easier for extremists to spread their messages and recruit followers, contributing to the spread of domestic terrorism.
However, while the article highlights the negative impact of social media on domestic terrorism, it also underscores the potential benefits of addressing this issue. By understanding how social media contributes to the problem, policymakers and law enforcement agencies can develop strategies to combat extremism online. This could include implementing stricter content moderation policies, improving digital literacy among the public, and fostering collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement agencies.
Moreover, the article emphasizes the importance of public awareness and engagement in addressing the role of social media in domestic terrorism. By educating individuals about the dangers of online extremism and promoting critical thinking skills, we can empower them to recognize and reject extremist propaganda when they encounter it online. This highlights the potential for social media to be used as a tool for preventing and mitigating the spread of domestic terrorism by promoting informed and responsible online behavior.
Real Examples of Social Media and Domestic Terrorism
U.S. Capitol riot (January 6, 2021): The storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump supporters was organized and fueled in part by social media platforms. Extremist groups and individuals used platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Parler, and Gab to coordinate logistics, disseminate false claims of election fraud, and incite violence against lawmakers. The riot resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, as well as significant damage to the Capitol building.
Charlottesville rally (2017): As mentioned earlier, the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which led to violence and the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer, was promoted and organized on social media platforms. Extremist groups utilized platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to recruit participants, spread hateful rhetoric, and coordinate their activities during the rally.
Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (2018): The perpetrator of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had expressed anti-Semitic views and conspiracy theories on social media platforms such as Gab. He specifically targeted the synagogue because of its support for refugees and immigrants, echoing sentiments often amplified in online extremist communities.
El Paso Walmart shooting (2019): The perpetrator of the mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, posted a manifesto on the online message board 8chan prior to the attack. In the manifesto, he espoused white supremacist and anti-immigrant beliefs, echoing rhetoric often found in online extremist communities. The shooting, which targeted Hispanic shoppers, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot (2020): Members of a domestic terrorist group allegedly used social media platforms to recruit individuals and plan the kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The group discussed their plans in private Facebook groups and other online forums, underscoring the role of social media in facilitating the coordination of terrorist plots and the radicalization of individuals.
These examples demonstrate how social media can be exploited by domestic terrorists in the United States to organize, radicalize, and incite violence, highlighting the challenges faced by authorities and social media companies in addressing online extremism.
Chapter 3: Discussion
The utilization of social media by terrorists has emerged as a highly alarming global issue. The interaction between native terrorist groups and intercontinental terrorist groups is significantly contributing to the escalation of the circumstances. Terrorist groups utilize social media tools to train, recruit, and communicate with their supporters, followers, and contributors due to this type of communication’s cost-effectiveness, convenience, speed, and efficacy. Terrorist organizations are disseminating their ideological beliefs, propaganda, and actions not only in South Asia but globally, utilizing social media platforms. Md Sazzad Hossain’s (2018) research on the association between social media and terrorism meets the required standards of the article. Our research indicates that higher levels of social media usage contribute to an increased probability of domestic terrorism in countries, as it facilitates radicals’ recruitment, mobilization, and training of terrorists. Through the application of mediation analysis, we have discovered that higher levels of social media penetration contribute to the intensification of online and political division. This, in turn, raises the probability of domestic terrorism incidents. Our research demonstrates the potential processes that connect social media and domestic attacks, highlighting the necessity of formulating and implementing effective counterterrorism tactics to reduce the impact of terrorist activities.
To ensure the reliability of our findings, we use the approach Hunter et al. (2023) used and utilize the overall count of internal extremist occurrences for each country yearly to get alternative dependent variable for domestic terrorism. More precisely, we calculate the ratio of terrorist trials occurring in a particular year to each country’s population size (measured in millions). The findings for the prototypes incorporating the annual numbers of domestic attacks variable align well with the principal ways that consider the overall sum of local terrorist occurrences per country year. The findings can be obtained upon request. To further ensure the reliability of the results, the theory additionally uses a covariance matrix estimator that incorporates fixed effects for both year and nation, a method first developed by researchers studying terrorist activities. The findings from these estimations closely resemble the models that employ damaging binomial worsening with fixed effects for nation and year. The findings can be obtained upon request. The hypothesis explicitly states that the progressive correlation concerning social media platforms and domestic terrorist occurrences can be influenced by additional aspects not included in the enquiry.
Further evidence supporting the accuracy of the review and theory presented in this study is the authors’ adept analysis of the domestic terrorist component. The researchers divided local terrorist incidents into various sub-groups to demonstrate the specific influence of social media penetration on these events. They discovered a direct correlation between the degree of social media consumption and the occurrence of destruction on personal properties, government, religious, police and military and political party targets. The findings align with the anticipated outcomes in the existing body of literature, as societal media platforms commonly foster vigorous discussions and division within these domains. Due to spatial constraints, we cannot include the models in this presentation. However, they can be obtained directly from the authors. Several qualitative investigations have established a correlation between social media and native bombing; however, their findings have varied.
Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of empirical research that has assessed the impact of increased engagement in social media on domestic extremism cases. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of up to 151 countries from 2000 to 2019 to evaluate the influence of social media infiltration on local terrorism while accounting for common factors discussed in the existing literature. Our research reveals that a higher level of social media usage contributes to an increased probability of domestic assassination in nations since it facilitates extremists in recruiting, mobilizing, and training terrorists. Through the application of mediation analysis, we have discovered that higher levels of social media penetration contribute to the intensification of online and political division, hence raising the probability of domestic terrorism incidents. Our research demonstrates the potential pathways that connect societal media and national terrorism, highlighting the necessity of formulating and implementing effective counterterrorism tactics to reduce bombing activities.
Currently, social media platforms have become an essential part of the daily lives of numerous individuals, serving as a primary means of social connection and engagement globally. This applies to both personal relationships and interactions with corporations and governments. The proliferation of the Internet, its increasing worldwide influence, and the emergence of potential innovative technologies to enhance its utilization and acceptance all indicate that contemporary social networking represents a significant transformation in how humans communicate, which should not be disregarded (Asongu et al, 2019). Online social networks have significantly influenced various aspects of human activities, including education, healthcare, and more. National security is not exempt. As a result of globalization, there is now a greater emphasis on assessing the influence of non-state actors. Societal media platforms have significant social and security ramifications for multiple countries, governments, and national security services, including the military and the police. The primary focus of this (Asongu et al, 2019) is to examine the relationship between social media and national security issues in certain countries.
The progress in computer sciences has facilitated the expansion of social media, allowing it to reach a worldwide scale where the interchange of information, whether positive or negative, takes place. Many national security strategists find that this information superhighway presents numerous obstacles. In a world where active worldwide listening is prevalent, intelligence organizations are under increased pressure to distinguish between background chatter and the more crucial and valuable information that constitutes intelligence for security agencies and decision-makers. Although social media operates independently from government regulation and does not practice discrimination, the study will illustrate that using these platforms can assist states in anticipating future emerging threats and devising strategies to counter them. Given the rapid evolution of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and their complex interaction with geo-economics and socio-cultural factors, it is crucial to consistently monitor their development, analyze their functioning, and assess their potential impact on the well-being of the state and its citizens. This process aims to enable states to actively monitor, report, and counteract any potential offensive use of Social Media by adversaries. The aim is to redirect these innovative tools into valuable resources that can be utilized by all entities involved in safeguarding national security.
Chapter 4: Conclusion
Social media becomes a crucial factor in how it spreads ideas of extremism throughout
the world, which may eventually be used as a tool to encourage more people to join domestic
terrorism. The core features that characterize social media, such as broad reach, limited
communication period, and bringing together people with a similarity of thought, were
successfully used by social media extremists in their task planning to execute harmful messages.
Frequently, the algorithms established to capture more engagement-enhanced interaction
detection inadvertently expose the users to the radical and damaging opinions of others and
isolate them further in their echo chambers. On the one hand, the online atmosphere reinforces
and promotes extremist views, providing a conducive spot for new members to be recruited and
trained. Social media platforms, which have private communication and encryption features,
provide many obstacles to counterterrorism activities. Such resources arm terrorists with the
tools required to make plans and actions in the dark and make it difficult for their detection and
cessation by authorities. Revealing this issue, it is crucial for the improvement of security
measures. The dual-edged role social media has taken up, both as a channel for positive contact
and as a facilitator for terrorists, is exemplary of the greater whole and showcases what an urgent
issue it has been: their role in fomenting domestic extremism.
Combating the terrorist abuse of social media requires not only a complex but a multi-
dimensional effort that successfully strikes a balance between the eradication of extremist
content and the protection of free speech and privacy. This challenge needs a collaborative effort
by the executives, civil society, and institutions of education to fashion policies that not only
address content moderation but also the algorithms that indirectly fuel the medium. Social networks, therefore, as principal players responsible for their transformation, have moral duties
to modify the content management approach and, under no circumstances, turn their platforms
into amplifiers of the extremist message. Furthermore, by nurturing literacy on digital subjects in
the general public, we create an environment that enables users to make critical judgments and
report any suspicious content. In turn, this leads to a safer and knowledgeable social network.
Such a coalition approach that underscores cooperation, technological advancement, and
education is key to shielding online spaces. At the same time, the rights of every individual are
observed. This adds to digital literacy, one of the critical factors that will ensure that the users are
empowered enough to make critical judgments about the information they come across online,
reducing their vulnerability to radicalization. Developing equally important counter-narratives
offers yet another positive alternative to the extremist discourse based on values of inclusiveness,
peace, and respect for diversity. These narratives can play a critical role in undermining the
appeal of extremist ideologies and fostering a more tolerant and cohesive society.
As social media approaches the intersection of domestic terrorism, the challenge is broad
yet very multivalent. The potential and actuality of social media are well recognized, though in
their functioning in the wave of domestic terrorism, its essential potential as a means to fight
against extremism should also be recognized. Indeed, strategic collaboration, informed policies,
and digital literacy can only be countered by these negative impacts of social media on domestic
terrorism with proper counter-narratives. However, it is more than just a tool to respond to
threats of online radicalization and recruitment; it is also a way to build the capacity and
resilience of the community to become impervious to such appeal. The task ahead is daunting but
necessary, requiring a concerted effort from all sectors of society to ensure that social media
becomes a force for good, promoting unity and understanding rather than division and violence.
Top of Form
Top of Form
References
Hill, M. (2023). Buffalo Shooting Survivors Say Social Media Companies and a Body Armor Maker Enabled the Killer. Claims Journal, N.PAG.
Hunter, L. Y., Biglaiser, G., McGauvran, R. J., & Collins, L. (Accepted/In press). The effects of social media on domestic terrorism. Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression. https://doi.org/10.1080/19434472.2022.2160001
National Institute of Justice. (2023, December 18). Five Things About the Role of the Internet and Social Media in Domestic Radicalization. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-role-internet-and-social-media-domestic-radicalization
The New York Times. (2021). How a Presidential Rally Turned Into a Capitol Rampage. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/trump-capitol.html
NPR. (2019). El Paso Shooting Suspect’s Manifesto Echoes Trump’s Language. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/08/04/748137076/el-paso-shooting-suspects-manifesto-echoes-trumps-language
NPR. (2020). FBI Says It Thwarted A Plan To Kidnap The Governor Of Michigan. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/10/08/921477407/fbi-says-it-thwarted-a-plan-to-kidnap-the-governor-of-michigan
NBC News. (2018). Suspected Pittsburgh gunman echoed talking point that dominated far-right media. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspected-pittsburgh-gunman-echoed-talking-point-dominated-far-right-media-n926031
BBC News. (2019). El Paso shooting: ‘White supremacist’ gunman kills 20 at Texas Walmart. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49236631
The Guardian. (2018). Pittsburgh shooting: gunman screamed ‘All Jews must die’ before synagogue attack. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/27/pittsburgh-synagogue-active-shooter-police
The Washington Post. (2017). How Hate Groups’ Secret Sound System Works. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/08/14/how-hate-groups-secret-sound-system-works/
Southern Poverty Law Center. (2017). The Daily Stormer and Other White Supremacist Websites Moved to Dark Web After Charlottesville. Retrieved from https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/08/15/daily-stormer-and-other-white-supremacist-websites-moved-dark-web-after-charlottesville
Asongu, S. A., Orim, S. M. I., & Nting, R. T. (2019). Terrorism and Social Media: Global Evidence. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 22(3), 208–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2019.1642023
Hossain, M. S. (2015). Social Media and Terrorism: Threats and Challenges to the Modern Era. South Asian Survey, 22(2), 136-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971523117753280
Hunter, L. Y., Biglaiser, G., McGauvran, R. J., & Collins, L. (2023). The effects of social media on domestic terrorism. Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/19434472.2022.2160001
Top of Form
Top of Form
Top of Form
Top of Form
Top of Form
The post 2 How Is Social Media Hurting Domestic Terrorism How Is Social Media appeared first on essayfab.