How Terrorist Groups Utilize Social Media Platforms for Recruitment and Fundraising

The internet is a tool that has brought about a fundamental revolution in the world and society since its inception in the 1990s. Today, more than 5 billion people worldwide have access to it. While this technology brings numerous positive innovations, it can also be misused by terrorist organizations to spread propaganda messages more easily. Although the internet has introduced positive change that connects the world, it has not been without drawbacks. One of the major negative aspects is the use of the internet and modern social media by terrorist organizations to recruit individuals.

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Terrorist Group Activities

Numerous international reports have revealed that the internet, by nature, is an ideal platform for terrorist group activities, even though its access requires certain resources, such as a computer, smartphone, literacy, and possibly language skills. The internet and social media possess several characteristics that combine to aid in recruitment operations.

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Terrorist Schemes

In this regard, Mohamed Azzam, an information security expert, states that with the daily advancement of information and communication technology, as well as the growth of social media platforms and applications, which have become a major factor in people’s lives, governments place significant importance on monitoring content on these platforms to combat any extremist or terrorist content.

He adds that social media platforms have enabled easier and more effective communication between members of extremist groups, as these platforms allow anyone to create one or multiple accounts easily and for free, without verification of personal data. This has allowed a wider spread of messages, reaching millions of people, and has also enabled them to gather data and information for their terrorist plans.

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He continues by noting that the internet has greatly expanded opportunities for terrorists to secure propaganda, in addition to terrorist groups relying heavily on donations. Their global network collects funds from charitable organizations, NGOs, and other financial institutions that use websites, chat rooms, and internet-based forums.

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