Signs of radicalisation and online radicalisation

Signs of radicalisation

Learn more about:

• signs and behaviours that may warn you about possible radicalisation 
• how to speak to individuals about radicalisation

More important than any one specific sign is the sense that something is not quite right with the person you’re worried about.

Signs of radicalisation may include:

• justifying the use of violence to solve societal issues
• altering their style of dress or appearance to accord with an extremist group
• being unwilling to engage with people who they see as different
• using certain symbols associated with terrorist organisations
• isolation from family and friends
• an obsessive or angry desire for change or ‘something to be done’

Some people react strongly to acts of extremism and terrorism, or to perceived injustices, whether in the UK or in other countries. Sometimes, this can lead to a powerful desire for change or ‘something to be done’ to address these concerns.

Signs of online radicalisation

Radicalisers are increasingly operating online to target and influence susceptible and vulnerable people through online gaming and social media platforms.

At first, they can use innocuous or typical-looking pages or sites that are not extreme in any way. Then they will seek to invite the person into a ‘closed’ group where extremist views are expressed. They do this to make the person feel special or part of a select group.

There is no exhaustive checklist of warning signs that would indicate that someone is being groomed online, but some things to look out for may include:

• spending an increasing amount of time online, downloading extremist or propaganda material
• sharing extreme views on social media
• sharing pictures of weapons online or on social media
• reading, posting, watching, or sharing hateful or extreme content and links
• increased secrecy, refusal to say who they're talking to online
• using the dark web or anonymous browsing to hide online activity
• interest in conspiracy theories and/or changes in social media profiles