The Role of Social Media and Gaming Platforms in Promoting Extremism

The Role of Social Media and Gaming Platforms in Promoting Extremism Synopsis

In recent years, content on social media and gaming platforms that promotes domestic violent extremism has influenced several high-profile attacks, according to experts and agency officials. Platforms that were once used to share photos of kids with grandparents are all too often havens of hate, harassment, and division. Facebook has Family and Friends Neighborhood, but it is right next to the one where there is a White nationalist rally every day. YouTube is a place where people share quirky videos, but down the street antivaxxers, COVID deniers, QAnon supporters, and Flat Earthers are sharing videos. Twitter allows you to bring friends and celebrities into your home, but also Holocaust deniers, terrorists, and worse. As a result, some social media and gaming companies, as well as federal agencies, are making an effort to understand and address online content that promotes domestic violent extremism.