THE TERRORIST PHENOMENON, SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET. SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The paper examines how terrorism uses social media and the internet, exploring the social and psychological implications of these modern media. Starting with an assessment of migration from print to online media, the paper highlights the particular impact of social networks, such as Facebook and X (e.g. Twitter), in the dissemination of terrorist information and propaganda. The study highlights cases such as that of ISIS, which used the online space to recruit thousands of individuals from around the world. The paper also explores the concept of “filter bubbles” through which social media algorithms facilitate the meeting and interaction between people with similar radical views, thus contributing to the polarization and radicalization of users. The paper argues that while the internet facilitates academic collaboration and rapid communication, it is also a source of threat, facilitating access to information that supports terrorist acts.