WASHINGTON (April 15, 2025) – The Associated Press called the rise of online violence “an emerging global threat” with accounts of a 12 year old’s arrest in Paris, France and a 17 year old’s murder charge in Wisconsin, United States. These are just two examples which highlight the rise of youth radicalization online, which is increasing risks of violent extremism across the ideological spectrum.
For more context on the matter, please consider Jon Lewis and Luke Baumgartner research fellows at the GW Program on Extremism.
Lewis studies domestic violent extremism and homegrown violent extremism, with a specialization in the evolution of white supremacist and anti-government movements in the United States and federal responses to the threat.
Baumgartner researches domestic violent extremism, white supremacist movements, and the role of military veterans in political violence.
Both can discuss how rhetoric creates the conditions for individuals to find the justification for violence and how it emboldens extremists, the online radicalization/gore and self harm online subcultures/extremist violence by juveniles, and broader youth radicalization trends.
If you’d like to speak with Jon Lewis or Luke Baumgartner, please contact Media Relations Specialist Shannon Mitchell at [email protected].
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