Fatshimetry —
The rise of teenage extremism in Europe has become a cause for concern for security authorities, underscoring the growing complexity of the threat posed by militant groups like Islamic State (IS) and its affiliate ISIS-K. According to a recent academic study of 27 ISIS-related attacks or plots over the past six months, nearly two-thirds of those arrested in connection with ISIS in Europe were teenagers, mainly aged 13 to 19.
Professor Peter Neumann, a specialist in security studies at King’s College London, points out that these juvenile recruits are increasingly targeted and exploited by extremist groups to carry out terrorist acts. While the number of planned or actual attacks has more than quadrupled in recent months, authorities remain vigilant, particularly in the run-up to the Paris Olympic Games, which are specifically targeted by ISIS-K.
The focus is on the potential threat of “directed terrorism,” highlighting the potential for large-scale organized attacks. ISIS-K, in particular, has emerged as one of the most formidable groups, adopting aggressive strategies to recruit young people through platforms like TikTok. These teenagers are drawn into a spiral of online extremism, where jihadi recruiters can proactively target them.
The study reviewed by Neumann reveals that several of the plots or attacks involved teenagers targeting the Summer Olympics. French authorities have already intercepted individuals seeking to carry out attacks during the international sporting event. Likewise, other European countries have faced similar situations, highlighting a growing transnational threat from radical groups.
Social media plays a crucial role in the radicalization of young people, with TikTok being identified as one of the main vectors of influence. Although the platform says it is taking steps to remove extremist content, the challenge remains immense in countering the spread of indoctrination online.
Faced with this growing threat, Western intelligence agencies must intensify their efforts to counter extremism among young people and prevent further acts of violence perpetrated by adolescents recruited by jihadist ideologies. International collaboration and coordination of security services become essential to effectively combat this insidious threat.
Ultimately, the radicalization of adolescents by terrorist groups like ISIS-K highlights the urgency of collective and concrete action to protect younger generations against extremist influences and promote values of tolerance and peace. The future of global security depends largely on our ability to counter this scourge and prevent further acts of terrorist violence.