Milan, Nov 4: Social media is a double-edged sword: it connects people, fosters communities, and amplifies marginalized voices, but also provides fertile ground for extremist movements, especially Europe’s far-right. Algorithms that maximize engagement can trap users in echo chambers, reinforcing beliefs and facilitating radicalization.Research shows far-right militants exploit social media for recruitment, coordination, and propaganda. In France, authorities arrested a neo-Nazi in July 2024 planning to attack the Olympic torch relay, while Bavarian police apprehended “Reichsbürger” members organizing subversive activities online.
In Italy, the Italian Team for Security, Terroristic Issues & Managing Emergencies (ITSTIME) analyzed 21 far-right arrests from January 2024 to July 2025. Most individuals arrested (86%) had an active online presence. Telegram emerged as the main platform for radicalization and recruitment (89.5%), followed by TikTok (5.3%) and Discord (5.2%). Younger militants often combined platforms—Telegram with TikTok or Discord—to attract new members to Telegram for private, organized communication. TikTok’s popularity among 18-30-year-olds and Discord’s gaming communities are increasingly exploited, creating a fragmented yet coordinated digital ecosystem that complicates monitoring.
Authorities face challenges in limiting online radicalization due to platform anonymity, multi-platform strategies, and evolving digital behaviors. EU measures include legal requirements for rapid removal of terrorist content and initiatives like the Radicalisation Awareness Network. Additional steps could involve stricter oversight of encrypted channels, algorithm transparency, and digital literacy campaigns for younger users.
The far-right’s strategic use of social media highlights the adaptability of extremist groups. Combating online radicalization requires coordinated international action, platform accountability, education, and community engagement. Without sustained cooperation, the same tools that connect people risk remaining powerful instruments for violent radicalization.
