In the early months of the pandemic, security experts sounded the alarm over the possible escalation of online radicalization and terrorist violence as people isolated and spent more time on social media.
in a November 2020 report of cases involving “malicious” use of social media for fomenting extremist beliefs.in Buffalo, New York – which left 10 dead, all of whom were Black, and three others wounded – appears to have posted writing that epitomizes these fears. In a 180-page document, 18-year-old Payton Gendron, allegedly shared a litany of bigoted views and conspiracy theories.
She defines extremist views as those which are “fundamentally opposed to the status quo.” In the U.S., that would include opposition to the democratic welfare state or tolerance of diverse ideas, she said. A key component of the definition includes a consideration of or willingness to commit violence in advancing one’s viewpoint, she added.
The American Civil Liberties Union, a staunch defender of free speech, criticizes the term “radicalization," arguing that the theory that extremist beliefs lead to violence is"unscientific" and ends up limiting constitutionally protected views.
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