A report released on Tuesday by Europol reveals a disturbing trend: terrorists are getting younger, with nearly one in three suspects in 2024 being under the age of 20, and the youngest being just 12 years old.
The European police organization presented its findings on Tuesday, highlighting the growing influence of "online cult communities" that exploit digital platforms to spread and normalize extreme violence, extort victims, and incite acts of terror among youth.
Europol's report underscores the connection between these violent groups and jihadist terrorism as well as right-wing extremist factions. Vulnerable young individuals, typically aged between 8 and 17, are particularly targeted, with terrorist organizations preying on those who struggle with mental health issues, social isolation, or digital dependency.
Catherine De Bolle, Europol's chief, emphasized the alarming focus on vulnerable youths, while EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner urged vigilance against the radicalization of young people and the exploitation of online platforms by extremists.
The report also links geopolitical tensions, such as the Gaza conflict, the Russian war in Ukraine, and the unstable situation in Syria, to the increasing radicalization of youth. Furthermore, Europol noted the worrying use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, in the recruitment and radicalization processes. AI has been harnessed to an unprecedented degree to produce and disseminate propaganda and hate speech.
In 2024, a total of 58 terrorist attacks were reported across 14 EU member states. Of these, 34 were successfully executed, while the remaining attempts were either thwarted or failed. The year also saw the arrest of 449 suspects, highlighting the ongoing efforts to counteract this rising threat.
