Young terrorists on Tikkok: new danger to Europe?

The latest attack in Villach is classified by terrorism expert Peter R. Neumann as part of a jihadist wave that has been emerging for months. In an analysis, Neumann expressed that the perpetrators represent a "new type" that is strongly shaped by online radicalization. The radicalization is mainly via platforms such as Tikkok, where Islamist "influencers" gain a large followers and attract young people. Neumann warns that a fantasy of violence unfolds in the digital space that works faster than before, especially in young people who often suffer from psychological preload. In the incident in Villach and a similar attack in Munich, in which a toddler and his mother died, the motivation through the Internet is even more clearly recognized than in previous deeds. The security authorities are faced with this new, rapidly acting threat, which requires close monitoring of social networks, according to Neumann in his book "The Return of Terror: How Dschihadism challenges us", which appeared last autumn. He demands stricter measures for the big platforms.

The current situation is also reinforced by the knife attack in Solingen and the prevented attacks on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The question of the young people who are more radicalized via Tikok is raised. About two thirds of the arrested suspects in Western Europe are teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. These younger perpetrators increasingly radicalized online without direct instructions through radical groups or preachers. Neumann describes how a spiral radicalization via social media leads to violent content and can finally stimulate concrete attack plans. Such developments show the urgency to develop more extensive and precise prevention strategies in order to combat this rapidly growing threat from young, online radicalized individuals, reported the NZZ

While the number of smaller Islamist attacks in Western Europe has risen dramatically since October, Neumann also sees an immediate connection with the Gaza conflict. Six smaller attacks have already been registered and over twenty attempted terror interventions have been registered, which indicates a worrying increase. Especially online radicalized individuals, also referred to as "Lone Wolves", represent an increasingly important challenge. Neumann warns that these developments could be a potential sign for a larger wave of terrorist attacks that must be prevented. The threat of these new perpetrators requires a quick action by the security authorities to achieve the radicalized youth and to contain dangerous ideologies.