A quarter-century after the 9/11 attacks, Europe faces a new security threat from nihilistic violent extremism, primarily driven by young people online. This emerging menace, known as “The COM,” involves violence for its own sake, with no clear ideological motive. Investigators from nine European countries identified over 4,340 web addresses linked to this community. In 2022, 45 terrorist attacks were reported in the EU, with jihadist groups responsible for most. However, nihilistic extremism is harder to track, as it often involves young individuals without criminal records. Recent incidents include a 16-year-old in Finland who attacked classmates and a 15-year-old in Italy planning a murder for online notoriety. These acts are organized by online networks and lead to real-world violence, posing a challenge for authorities.
QUESTION: How might the rise of online-driven violent extremism impact the way young people interact with digital communities?
EU warns of new menace 25 years after 9/11 as online youths seek violent thrills
