Teenage Terrorism – When Radicalization Begins in the Children’s Room

As part of an event organized by the Order of St. George, ACIPSS researcher Dr. Florian Hartleb presented his latest book, “Teenage Terrorism”. The event focused on the increasing radicalization of young people and the challenges this poses for society, educational institutions, and security agencies.

The book examines a phenomenon that has increasingly come into focus in security research in recent years: adolescents and young adults who, within a short period of time, turn to extremist ideologies and, in some cases, are willing to resort to violence. Radicalization processes are increasingly taking place in digital spaces – on social media, in messaging apps, gaming communities, or closed online networks.

Hartleb analyzes the connection between digital communication, social isolation, the search for identity, and extremist ideology. The analysis takes into account various ideological manifestations, including Islamist, far-right, and hybrid forms of extremism.

The book’s central thesis is that teenage terrorism must be understood as a distinct security policy phenomenon. The highly dynamic nature of digital radicalization processes poses new challenges for families, schools, youth organizations, and security agencies. Prevention and early awareness-raising are therefore becoming increasingly.