Digital mechanisms are contributing to the growing radicalization of today’s youth and young adults as they navigate online spaces. What can parents, educators, and communities do to increase awareness and prevent children from falling into polarizing echo chambers or interacting in dangerous radical online spaces? In this “Ask the Experts” webinar, a panel of investigative researchers, thought leaders, and advocates with expertise in online extremism share examples of the digital tools extremists use to target and capture the attention of youth and how unregulated online platforms and algorithms auto-deliver extreme content to youth around the world. These experts also provide recommendations for how governments might regulate these platforms to reduce polarization and how caregivers and educators can teach youth to think critically and interact safely in digital spaces.
[00:00] Introduction
Kris Perry, MSW, Executive Director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, introduces the webinar and panel moderator, Brian Hughes, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in the American University School of Public Affairs and co-founder and Associate Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University. Dr. Hughes briefly explains how polarization and extremism look different in the digital age, how youth are targeted online, and how the topic will be addressed throughout the webinar.
[05:08] Katie A. Paul, MA
Katie Paul, Director of the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), co-director and co-founder of the Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) Project, and founding member of the Alliance to Counter Crime Online (ACCO), summarizes the landscape of extremism and polarization on big tech platforms like Facebook and Youtube. She discusses how specific tools — like algorithms, inaccurately moderated ads, and auto-generated community pages — amplify extremist and harmful content to all users, including youth.
[19:23] Paul Barrett, JD
Paul Barrett, JD, Deputy Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at New
York University’s Stern School of Business and adjunct professor at the NYU School of Law, examines the “regulatory Wild West” and how the lack of federal regulation allows self-regulating social media companies to regularly promote harmful ideologies to the unsuspecting. Barrett delves into current debates and Supreme Court cases about Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, and discusses the possible implications for Congress, industry and society.
[33:54] Alex Newhouse, MA, MS
Alex Newhouse, Deputy Director of Middlebury Institute’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, discusses the role that video games may play in the radicalization of youth. To begin, Newhouse reviews potential benefits of video games. He explains the gamification of violence and how propaganda circulates in extremist networks on gaming platforms, and why some youth are more vulnerable to these influences than others. He briefly notes what we still do not know about this space, and what red flags parents can watch out for.
[50:43] Jennie King
Jennie King, Head of Climate Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), explains how to teach youth about digital citizenship and critical thinking in online spaces, including how to connect the dots between different layers that can alter what is encountered online. She offers practical tips and concrete examples for how caregivers can approach conversations with young people about hate, extremism and violence online.
[01:06:00] Q&A
Dr. Hughes leads our panelists through a thought-provoking group discussion addressing questions submitted from the audience. They explore how to encourage intergenerational, community-wide dialogue and efforts to limit radicalism, the complexities of regulatory systems in the United States, impacts of “artificial” spaces, and alternative activities or social movements that may promote positive youth development.
