Violence-focused online communities
In recent months, several security authorities have warned about online communities that incite and manipulate children and young people to commit acts of violence against themselves and others. These violence-focused online communities present various challenges to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, as they are a constantly evolving phenomenon that takes many forms and combines different influences.
Although the roots of these communities lie firmly in various online subcultures, they are a relatively recent phenomenon - leaving many questions still unanswered. The brief provides an early picture of the communities' main features, how and why people become involved in them, and the kinds of activities that take place within them.