Skip to content
EN

Lesson 5 of 12 · 6 min · +100 XP

What are the signs of online radicalisation?

Online radicalisation usually happens step by step. It starts with jokes about a group, a feed that serves more of the same, and a community that offers belonging. Then come blame, "us against them" and hate. Warning signs: a group that needs an enemy and old friends treated as traitors. Step back, retrain your feed and talk to someone.

▶ Try it

Why it matters

Hateful groups rarely win people over with slogans. They use jokes, belonging and blame, one small step at a time. You learn to spot the slide, find the exits and help a friend.

In 6 minutes you'll be able to

  • Radicalisation happens step by step: jokes, belonging, "us against them", hate.
  • You can retrain your feed and get out at any time.
  • Talk to friends privately and kindly. If there's talk of violence, get help straight away.

What you'll practise

  1. How a feed slides

    This is how it often tips, very slowly. Put the steps in the order they typically happen.

    1. A meme about "them". It's only a joke.
    2. The feed shows more of it, because you watched
    3. A group cheers you on: "Finally someone who gets it."
    4. "Us against them": certain people are supposedly to blame for everything
    5. Other opinions count as betrayal, old friends as enemies
    6. Putting people down and hating them suddenly seems normal

  2. Finding the exits

    What helps you, and what helps a friend?

    1. Your feed shows more and more posts trashing whole groups of people. What helps?

      • Tap "Not interested", unfollow, and look for other content (Answer)
      • Keep watching to understand what it's about

    2. How can you tell an online community is turning?

      • It needs an enemy to feel like a community (Answer)
      • People share jokes and memes there
      • It has lots of members

    3. Your friend Finn keeps posting these "jokes". How do you bring it up?

      • Privately ask what he likes about it, and say what bothers you (Answer)
      • Call him out publicly in a story
      • Argue the facts until he gives in

    4. Finn talks about wanting to hurt someone. What now?

      • Tell an adult straight away. In an emergency, call 911 or 999 (Answer)
      • Wait, he surely doesn't mean it

  3. What you can do

    You don't have to rescue anyone on your own. But you can do a lot.

    🔄 Take back your feed
    Unfollow, tap "Not interested", take breaks. Your feed belongs to you.
    🗣️ Talk
    Talk to friends, parents, teachers or a helpline below. Even if you've been deep in it yourself, you won't be judged for reaching out.
    🚩 Report hate
    Report hate speech and calls for violence in the app. You can also use the reporting services below.
    🚨 Danger?
    If someone threatens violence, tell an adult straight away or call emergency services: 911 in the US, 999 in the UK.

Remember

If a group needs an enemy to feel like a community: step back and talk to someone.

If a group needs an enemy to feel like a community, step back.

Key facts

  • In the year to March 2025 there were 8,778 referrals to Prevent, the UK's early-support programme for people at risk of radicalisation. That was the highest number in any year. · Source: UK Home Office, Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent programme, April 2024 to March 2025
  • Young teens are the largest group: 11- to 15-year-olds made up 36% of Prevent referrals where age was known in 2024/25. · Source: UK Home Office, Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent programme, April 2024 to March 2025
  • Schools and colleges made more Prevent referrals than any other sector in 2024/25: 3,129, or 36% of all referrals. · Source: UK Home Office, Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent programme, April 2024 to March 2025
  • Recommendation feeds show more of whatever you watch. That is why a feed can drift towards more extreme content without you ever searching for it, and why unfollowing and "Not interested" can turn it back.

Updated:

Questions people ask

How do extremists recruit young people online?

Usually not with open propaganda. They start with edgy jokes and memes, offer attention and belonging, then move the chat to private groups and slowly push an "us against them" view that blames a group of people.

What should I do if I'm worried a friend is being radicalised?

Talk to them privately and calmly, ask what they like about the content, and say what worries you without mocking them. Tell a trusted adult, and if they talk about hurting someone, get help from an adult or emergency services straight away.

Can social media algorithms radicalise you?

Algorithms don't have opinions, but they show more of what you watch. If you engage with angry or hateful posts, your feed can fill with more extreme versions. Unfollowing, tapping "Not interested" and seeking out other content retrains it.

Where can I report extremist content online?

Use the report button in the app first. You can also tell a teacher or parent, and in the UK report terrorist content to the police online. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK.

Related terms