As the shadow of extremism continues to spread silently across cyberspace, counter-terrorism in the digital age is no longer merely a technological issue but a core component of global security, requiring close coordination among all stakeholders.
The methods used by terrorist and extremist networks are evolving rapidly, with cyberspace emerging as a new battleground for terrorist organisations, where extremist content can easily reach young people. Instead of weapons such as bombs, bullets, and rifles, they use algorithms and a range of sophisticated “traps,” including online games and closed chat groups. Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping terrorist forces accelerate the production of propaganda and hyper-personalise their messaging.
In 2025, the European Union (EU) recorded 45 terrorist attacks and foiled plots, while 130 suspects under the age of 18 were arrested for terrorism-related offences. Another study found that, in 2025, investigations involving adolescents and children made up a staggering 42% of all terrorism investigations in Europe and North America. In an operation conducted in June and July 2026, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) removed around 4,340 websites containing violent and extremist content linked to an online network known as “The Com.”
The fight against terrorism is increasingly becoming a struggle to protect young people from the risk of being lured in and subjected to psychological and behavioural manipulation online. In early September 2026, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter called for greater pressure to be brought to bear on social media platforms, amid a growing number of young people being radicalised and recruited to carry out attacks.
According to the official, the EU’s current regulatory framework on extremist content is ill-equipped to fully mitigate emerging risks. In practice, the changing methods of extremist and terrorist groups are making it more difficult to detect, trace, and prevent recruitment activities. Individuals can rapidly disseminate material promoting violence and inciting hatred through small online communities, rather than operating as part of large organisations.
In response to the wave of extremism online, many countries are moving to tighten their legal frameworks, requiring major online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to comply with a range of obligations under the EU’s Digital Services Act, including the removal of illegal content.
In the US, a number of online platforms are facing lawsuits over potential risks of harm to children and adolescents. However, according to EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter, a worrying “gap” stems from the fact that some content cannot be directly classified as terrorist material but can nevertheless incite hatred and extremist attitudes among viewers.
The law alone cannot address the root causes of this pressing problem without close cooperation and active engagement from families. Parents are advised to closely monitor their children’s online activities and help them spend more time connecting with others in the real world. Social factors such as political polarisation, religious tensions, and psychological issues can also heighten the risks.
Given the borderless nature of the digital environment, the fight against terrorism on online platforms is both a challenge and a shared responsibility, requiring the concerted efforts of governments, technology companies, families, schools, and communities.
