Expert Assessments on the Effects of Early Childhood Exposure to Extremism Online

This article brings together expert assessments concerning the relationship between children and online extremism, to help inform scholars and policymakers seeking to address the effects of early childhood exposure to extremism content. Findings include the role of online misogyny and its psychological appeal to children and adolescents in digital media environments, especially when viewed alongside or expressed in politically benign online spaces in the children’s lifestyle or development. Results emphasised the evolving sociotechnical contexts where children are being exposed to extremist content, chiefly the rapid development in online gaming communities and allied innovation in gaming industries.

The expert’s recommendations centred on prioritising digital media literacy in schools, promoting community engagement and parental discussions about child safety online, incentivising companies responsible for products used by children to implement age verification and advanced moderation policies, and supporting localised culture figures in the children’s lifestyle and development alongside social workers and childhood educators. Findings also suggest that current school systems and curricula lack comprehensive prevention or counter-measures against growing radicalisation in child settings. Participants offered ideas on addressing children’s exposure to online extremist content, yet gaps remain in implementing effective strategies within educational settings and beyond.

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