How Social Media is Being Weaponised for Radicalisation — Gordon Alley-Young

19. 12. 2023

This episode of The IR thinker examines how social media shapes contemporary radicalisation, from recruitment strategies and message design to the spread of counternarratives, algorithmic amplification and the use of encrypted platforms. The discussion with Dr Gordon Alley-Young explores practical and ethical challenges in detecting and limiting extremist content, international cooperation between states and platforms, and the tools available to counter radical messages and online fundraising for extremism.

Gordon Alley Young

Dr Gordon Alley-Young is Professor of Speech Communication and dean at Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York. His research focuses on intercultural communication and postcolonialism in popular culture, with particular attention to education, culture, identity, gender, class and sexuality.

Publications:

Army Recruitment of Ethnic Minorities

Social Media and Terrorist Financing

Articulating Identity: Refining Postcolonial and Whiteness Perspectives on Race within Communication Studies

Content

00:00 - Introduction
02:04 - The Role of Social Media in the Radicalisation Recruitment Process
10:17 - Crafting Effective Messages on Social Media Platforms
12:05 - Counternarratives and Their Impact on Social Media
20:34 - Manipulating Algorithms: Influence on Social Media Content
26:51 - Detecting and Limiting Radical Content on Social Media
32:37 - International Cooperation: Combating Radical Content Across Borders
37:58 - Account Verification on Social Media
42:53 - Encrypted Messaging Apps and Their Connection to Radicalisation
53:17 - Fundraising for Terrorism and Extremism on Social Media
58:54 - Strategies for Addressing Radical Messages and Banners on Social Media