"Based on a bibliometric and scientific study of research conducted in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Arab world, parts of Africa and Asia on the links between the use of social media and the phenomena of radicalization, the Report analyzes more than 550 studies published in scientific literature and “grey literature”, covering outputs in English (260), French (196) and Arabic (96). It shows that very little research has focused on the effective role of the use of social media in violent radicalization. Although many articles deal with electronic strategies and the use of the Internet and online social media for recruitment, there are very few empirical studies that describe and examine the real effects of these strategies on youth, and they rarely examine gender aspects. The Report examines the specificities of online prevention initiatives: counter/alternative narratives and media information literacy (MIL). Several formal and informal MIL initiatives have been implemented around the world according to MIL as a pedagogical practice with a specific set of skills that can respond to narratives of anger and revenge." (Executive summary, page 5)
1 Introduction, 7
2 Definitions, 10
3 Social media in the radicalization of youth leading to violent extremism in Europe, North America, Latin-America and the Caribbean, 13
4 Role of social media in the violent radicalization of youth in the Arab world and Africa, 27
5 Role of social media in the violent radicalization of youth in Asia, 32
6 Online prevention initiatives: Counter /alternative narratives and Media and Information Literacy (MIL), 36
7 Key findings, 43
8 Conclusions, 46
9 Recommendations, 50
Appendices, 54