A systematic review of the empirical literature on lone-actor terrorism, the first of its kind, is presented. Across 109 sources, ten main themes that characterise this domain are identified and described: definitions of lone-actor terrorism and typologies; heterogeneity of lone-actor terrorists; presence of mental health issues and/or personality disorders; similarities with other lone-offender criminal types; motivation to act driven by personal and ideological influences; increasing prominence of internet use; ties with other extremists, groups or wider movements; processes of attack planning and preparation; role of opportunity/triggers; and a tendency towards leakage/attack signalling.
This study explores the Internet's role in radicalisation pathways and offending of 235 convicted extremists in England and Wales. A comprehensive database was developed by coding content of specialist assessment reports by professionals with direct contact with individuals concerned. A series of quantitative analyses were then conducted. Findings suggest the Internet is playing an increasingly prominent role in radicalisation, with variations in online activities depending on pathway taken. Internet use has also changed over time, with increasing social media use. This study informs the debate on the Internet's role within radicalisation pathways, guiding counter-terrorism approaches and policy in this area.
Purpose This study explores socio‐demographic profiles and offence histories of 235 individuals convicted of extremist offences in England and Wales who have shown different levels of Internet engagement in their pathway towards radicalization. Methods A comprehensive database of those convicted of extremist offences was developed by reviewing and coding content of specialist Structured Risk Guidance (SRG) and Extremism Risk Guidance (ERG22+) assessment reports, authored by professionals with access to a range of restricted information sources and direct contact with the individual concerned. This enabled a comparison of socio‐demographic profiles and offence histories for those who radicalized online, those who radicalized offline and those exposed to both online and offline influences. The analyses further integrated formal risk assessments contained in the reports. Results Findings show a comparatively small prevalence of exclusive online radicalization, but some online influence for the majority of all cases. Pronounced variations in the socio‐demographic profiles and offence histories for members of each radicalization pathway group were found. In addition, convicted extremists who radicalized online are assessed as having the lowest overall level of engagement with an extremist group or cause, along with the lowest levels of intent and capability to commit violent extremist acts. Conclusions Gaining a better understanding of the prevalence of online radicalization, and the profiles associated with it, informs the debate on whether extremist content and activities online influence violent extremist behaviour offline and helps to guide counter‐terrorism approaches and future policy in this area.
This work is concerned with the extent and magnitude of threat related to online radicalization in the context of terrorist acts and related offending. Online influences have been depicted as major drivers for the propagation and adoption of extremist ideologies, which often contain an element of collective grievance, and subsequent acts of violence. This is most pronounced in the discussion of so-called lone actor terrorism, but extends to all forms of extremist offending, and beyond. The present work situates online radicalization leading to terrorist acts within the wider context of grievance-based beliefs and attitudes. Further, it addresses current positions and debates surrounding the relevance and mechanisms of online radicalization in terrorist offending. Recent evidence from quantitative studies is reviewed to estimate prevalence of online radicalization and the level of threat that results from it. This is followed by a discussion of plausible, but opposing, interpretations of the estimates presented. While online radicalization does occur, with and without reference to offline processes, the resulting threat is not overly high. This assessment, however, refers to the present only and is unlikely to hold for the future, given the general growth and acceleration of online activity among terrorist actors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.