Radicalisation in UK More Likely to Take Place Online: Study

Shamima Begum being interviewed by Sky News in northern Syria on Feb. 17, 2019. The so-called ISIS bride has claimed she was radicalised both online and "between her circle of friends."Reuters

A new study in the UK shows that radicalisation is now more likely to take place online rather than in person but is likely to result in a conviction for non-violent extremist offences.

Written by the Nottingham Trent University (NTU) along with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Bournemouth University and published on Dec. 8 by the UK’s Ministry of Justice, the report said plots that were planned or devised over the internet are unlikely to progress past the planning stage and are the most likely plots to be foiled.

The study analysed the offending pathways of 437 individuals who had been convicted under the UK Terrorism Act and related offences in England and Wales and provided an update on a similar report which was published last year.

According to the analysis of specialised reports between 2010 and 2021, the data showed that the biggest increase in online radicalisation over time was among convicted women as well as those above the age of 25.

Low Risk

The analysis which focused on offenders who could be classed as radical extremists said that those who were radicalised online were at low risk, mainly because they showed the least engagement with an ideological group or cause. It was also summarised that such offenders were likely to be the least successful in plotting some form of attack, with the likelihood of it being foiled in the early stages of planning.

Technology has also played its part in the evolution of radicalisation. Over time, radicalisation has moved away from platforms such as extremist websites and regular apps on smart devices to an increased use of chatrooms, forums, and communication apps that offer encryption.

Jonathan Kenyon, the lead author of the study who works for HMPPS Counter Terrorism Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre, said the study provided a “contemporary picture of the online activities of convicted extremists in England and Wales.”

Kenyon added that “marked differences were found between those who either radicalised online, offline or across both domains in terms of their internet behaviours, profiles, and offending patterns. Once again, this highlights the importance of accounting for different pathways in respect of internet use when assessing risk and in the development and implementation of counter terrorism interventions.”

The report said online responses should remain a key focus of counterterrorism efforts because as technology continues to evolve more open access platforms like social media and online gaming can become targets for those who wish to radicalise people.

Jens Binder, associate professor of Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said the evolution of technology was “likely to require a more pro-active and transparent approach from tech companies such as specific mechanisms and incentives for reporting content of a radical nature.”

Mental Health Issues

The analysis showed that over a third of offenders experienced some form of mental health issue or personality disorder.

“The report is not suggesting that those with mental illness represent a community from which terrorists are more likely to originate. Nor does the report suggest that mental illness be viewed as a predictor of terrorist intent,” said Christopher Baker-Beall, senior lecturer in Crisis and Disaster Management at the Bournemouth University Disaster Management Centre.

When it comes to the consequences of online radicalisation, the authors of the report urged caution against automatic jail sentences. The thought process was that those that commit offences online are likely to have had a low level of engagement with extremist organisations. Instead, the report suggests that individual circumstances should be taken into consideration.

Whilst the report was published on Dec. 8, the issue of online safety has been dominant in parliament this week. On Monday, MPs had a chance for a second time to debate the online safety bill that will now face a scrutiny committee as well as the House of Lords before a vote can take place.