"Data, including information collected by the MERIT project, demonstrates that social media and social messaging are powerful tools in Mali, and have the potential to both positively and negatively impact society, particularly in relation to violent extremism. Malian youth use social media and messaging as a means of communication and information sharing on various topics. According to the youth respondents, confirmed by external information sources, violent extremist groups use the same types of social media both to collect and spread information, as well as to attract attention and support (including financial resources). Social media channels enable violent extremist groups to quickly and cheaply spread their propaganda among young people, who may be a vulnerable target because of their age, socio-economic situation and other contingent vulnerabilities. Because social media platforms are used by both the youth community and violent extremists, social media is a key means to either fuel or reduce violence in the country. It is therefore paramount for all users, from authorities to communities, to be aware of the risks and benefits that modern digital technologies can yield in preventing and countering violent extremism, and to be trained on the best ways to use these channels in a positive manner while preserving their security. The data collected and analysed provide valuable insight for future initiatives in Mali aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism. Further attention should be paid to the key role that youth can play as the main user community and, at the same time, as a potential target of extremist and terrorist groups. In this regard, training efforts should strengthen youth’s media literacy, by focusing on the risks implied in the use of media and by respecting and reflecting the specificities of the local contexts in which the different tools and platforms are used. Innovative approaches should be explored and enhanced in the attempt to develop effective alternatives and counter narratives, based on the fundamentals of media literacy." (Conclusions, page 13)

"This report draws on existing data, as well as on primary data collected from youth leaders through surveys conducted by UNICRI and ICCT during a series of workshops organised within the framework of the MERIT project.16 In particular, a first questionnaire on their use of social media, as well as on their impressions of the use of social media by violent extremist groups was completed by 27 youth participants during an advanced media training workshop in August 2019; a second questionnaire was completed by 21 youth participants during a workshop on counter and alternative narratives17 to violence in October 2019; and a third questionnaire was completed by 29 youth participants during an advanced workshop on counter narratives to violence in December 2019." (Methodology, page 3)