The New Extremist Recruitment Funnel Starts With Children

Extremist groups are leveraging modern technology platforms like TikTok, gaming environments, and AI to rapidly radicalize young people by compressing the traditional multi-step radicalization process into a single continuous experience. The UK reported that one in five terrorism-related arrests in 2024 involved individuals under 18, reflecting a significant shift in recruitment tactics targeting children who comprise one-third of the global population.