Act of Age: Minor Lone-Actor Terrorists and Their Attacks

Abstract

Youth involvement in radicalization and terrorism activity has increased over the last decade. The present study aimed to determine whether minor lone-actor terrorists feature unique individual characteristics, and identify situational factors related to these attacks. A comparative analysis was conducted with 83 minors and 82 mature lone-actor terrorists in Israel who committed terrorist attacks between January 2015 and December 2016. Results indicated significant differences between underage and adult lone-actor terrorists in three of the four “pillars of opportunity” (target, training, and facilitating conditions), as well as in the death toll. These findings suggest close affinities between the socio-psychological needs and challenges youth face in their adolescence phase and their modus operandi for terror acts. We discussed these findings in the context of existing research on youth radicalism and lone-actor terrorism, offering further directions for research.

The age of extremism: a crime script analysis of violent and nonviolent extremists according to age of first extremist act

“…Although the numbers were low, this is consistent with research demonstrating that social-cognitive vulnerabilities may have led to an individual’s increased vulnerability to radicalisation and recruitment into involvement with extremism (Palermo, 2013; Little et al , 2021). Indeed, research has shown that minors are more vulnerable to ideological influences that can lead to extremism (Sela-Shayovitz et al , 2023).…”

“…Thus, this may be important to note in early life as a risk factor associated with radicalisation, but not necessarily give an indication of whether one might later act violently or non-violently. However, Sela-Shayovitz et al (2023) found that minors were more prone to religious influences, which could lead to involvement in extremism.…”

“…However, the age at which offenders commit their first crime, are first arrested, become radicalised or become involved in extremism may change over time due to sociocultural attitudes and a variety of contextual factors (Capone, 2020). For example, it is suggested that the number of radicalised “youths” involved in terrorism has increased notably over the past decade (Sela-Shayovitz et al , 2023). Childhood risk factors, such as experiencing childhood abuse and adolescent misconduct can be precursors to violence (Marono et al , 2020; Richards, 2011).…”

“…Childhood risk factors, such as experiencing childhood abuse and adolescent misconduct can be precursors to violence (Marono et al , 2020; Richards, 2011). Other factors underlying the involvement of minors in criminality and extremism can include perceived marginalisation and alienation (Lynch, 2013); frustration and injustice (Thornton and Bouhana, 2019); the involvement of significant others (Bizina and Gray, 2014; Sela-Shayovitz et al , 2023); and psychological factors that may be especially prevalent during adolescence (Bjørgo and Carlsson, 2005; Lynch, 2013). Although temporal methods have highlighted several pathways into extremism, it remains unclear whether pathways are the same between violent and non-violent offenders, and the age at which the offence is performed/enacted (e.g.…”

An analysis of terrorist attack perpetrators in England and Wales: Comparing lone actors, lone dyads, and group actors.

“…Other studies have shown lone-actor terrorists typically make use of tools they have at hand, as evidenced by Bartal (2017), who found Palestinian lone actors used knives and vehicles when committing terror attacks in Jerusalem, as these were easily accessible. Age differences have also been found, with underage lone actors more likely than adults to use less lethal weapons, such as knives (Sela-Shayovitz et al, 2023). Another difference from the same study was a third (32.5%) of underage lone-actor terrorists carried out attacks with a partner, thus potentially qualifying as lone dyads, compared to 6.2% of adult terrorists.…”