Online radicalisation
Online radicalisation is when a person is exposed to increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideas through the internet, particularly social media, and then starts to adopt these views.
It's important to remember that some of this problematic online behaviour by itself might not be a reason for concern. If you are worried about someone's behaviour, it's a good idea to get help for them before they become a danger to themselves or the community.
How it happens
The path to online radicalisation is different for everyone and can be affected by many things. Violent extremist individuals and groups use the internet and social media to find and take advantage of vulnerable people, tricking them into adopting their thoughts and beliefs.
Some people may occasionally look at violent extremist material out of curiosity, but people who are radicalising tend to collect or share this material with others.
Online radicalisation can happen in one or more of the following ways:
- Exposure to violent extremist content: People can view violent extremist content on various online platforms, including social media, chatrooms, gaming, and websites.
- Engaging with online violent extremist communities: Violent extremist groups often create online communities to share their views and find new members. This helps to strengthen each other's views, making opinions more extreme.
- Exposure to filter bubbles: This is when computer programs automatically choose content for a person. They see more and more of the same type of content, and less of other viewpoints.
- Exploiting vulnerabilities: Violent extremist groups or individuals may target a person who feels vulnerable or isolated. They then take advantage of these emotions to draw them into violent extremist beliefs.
- Online anonymity/online persona: The internet allows people to be anonymous, which can make them feel less restricted. This might encourage a person to behave in ways they wouldn't in real life, possibly leading to radicalisation.
Misinformation and disinformation
Misinformation is false information that is spread by mistake or error. Disinformation is false information spread on purpose to trick people, influence public opinion, or hide the truth for malicious reasons.
Being exposed to misinformation and disinformation can make people lose trust in the government and public organisations. It can also harm democratic processes and create tension between different groups of people. This can draw some people into extremist narratives or increase the likelihood of radicalisation for people who are already vulnerable to violent extremism.
How misinformation and disinformation spreads
- According to the University of Canberra’s Digital News Report Australia 2025, 78.5 per cent of the population use social media and 52 per cent of those users get their news from social media. This reliance on social media for news makes it easier for false information to spread and be believed.
- It can be hard to spot false or misleading information, especially as it is so easy to create and share. Some things can make it even harder for a person to tell what's true and what's not, such as their age or level of education.
- People are more likely to believe information that is similar to their existing beliefs than information based on facts. This is why knowing how to spot false information is important for everyone.
Spotting misinformation and disinformation
The Australian Communications and Media Authority website has information about misinformation and disinformation as well as tips to spot it. It also provides a way to report online misinformation and disinformation.
How to stay safe online
The eSafety Commissioner is the Australian Government’s body that works to keep people safe online. They help protect Australians from online harm and build safer digital spaces. The eSafety website provides online safety information on many topics, including cyberbullying, image-based abuse, illegal and restricted content, and advice specifically for parents and carers to help kids stay safe online.
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