Online Interventions Addressing Terrorism and Radicalization

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Background
Significance and Rationale for the Study
Research Questions
Hypothesis
Methodology
Conclusion
References

Introduction

It is challenging to imagine a world without the Internet. People use it for an array of purposes, including academic and entertaining ones. However, it is necessary to admit that ill-minded persons also use the Internet to distribute their views, which results in the spread of online terrorism and violence (von Behr, 2013). Various interventions exist to address these adverse issues, and appropriate organizations rely on them. Thus, the effectiveness of online interventions and counter-narrative campaigns is the focus of the given proposal.

Background

Internet terrorism is a widespread phenomenon that negatively affects online users. This term includes messages that promote violence, distribute radical views, incite individuals to commit unlawful actions, and others (Radicalization Awareness Network, 2012; Briggs & Feve, 2013). Counterterrorism in the last ten years has come to the fore of international relations and remains in the news almost daily ( Jordan, 2010). Governments can use many approaches to address the problem, and counter-narrative is a popular option. This term denotes “a message that offers a positive alternative to extremist propaganda, or alternatively aims to deconstruct or delegitimize extremist narratives” (Tuck & Silverman, 2016, p. 4). According to Avis (2016), social media are suitable platforms for distributing such messages. This information demonstrates that the focus on counter-narratives is supported by sufficient evidence.

Significance and Rationale for the Study

This proposal addresses an essential and widespread issue that affects the global environment. The Western world started drawing more attention to the problem after the September 11 attacks (Meleagrou-Hitchens & Vidino, 2018). Benkel et al. (2018) also admit that the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant’s increased digital activity made it necessary for Arabic nations to respond to the online threat. For example, Saudi Arabia is among those countries that have a specific strategy to deal with online terrorism. Launched in 2003, Sakinah “is an independent, non-governmental organization that was created to engage in dialogue online as a way to combat Internet radicalization” (Boucek, 2008, p. 2). In practice, this organization consists of approximately 40 individuals targeting social media and blog users, and the main task is to prevent ordinary citizens from being exposed to radical views (Al-Saud, 2017). Since the given campaign has almost 20 years of history, it is rational to assess how effective it is.

Furthermore, the proposed study is significant because it offers to expand the existing knowledge. This statement refers to the fact that there are many studies that focus on online terrorism and counter-narratives. However, these research pieces typically have a significant limitation because they fail to draw sufficient attention to how interventions impact audience attitudes and behavior (Helmus & Klein, 2018). Lewis and Marsden (2021) also support this thought and admit that additional research is needed because the existing interventions typically focus on reach and not impact. This information means that an experimental study is needed to assess the effectiveness and impact of counter-narrative campaigns.

Research Questions

A few specific and appropriate questions will guide the proposed study. Question 1: Are online interventions and counter-narrative campaigns effective in addressing online terrorism and radicalization? Question 2: Is the Sakinah campaign demonstrates how counter-narratives can be successfully implemented? At this point, it is necessary to clarify how one can measure success. On the one hand, it is suitable to rely on traditional metrics, including page views, video playbacks, likes, and messages (Radicalization Awareness Network, 2012). On the other hand, the necessity to assess the impact justifies the use of interviews or surveys to investigate how the intervention influenced the target audience.

Hypothesis

Based on the questions above, it is possible to develop the research hypothesis. Thus, the proposed study is going to demonstrate that online interventions and counter-narrative campaigns effectively address online terrorism because they help people avoid radical views. Furthermore, the proposed strategy will teach individuals how to filter and respond to the information found online. The study will also identify that the Sakinah campaign can be considered a suitable example of how it is possible to address Internet terrorism and radicalization.

Methodology

Implementing a suitable methodology to answer the questions and test the hypothesis above is necessary. A quasi-experimental method is appropriate for terrorist studies because the absence of random assignment means that participants voluntarily choose whether they will be in a treatment or control group (Braddock, 2020). More precisely, a switching-replications design is suitable for the proposed study. Braddock (2020) explains that this methodology should be chosen because it guarantees that all participants receive treatment benefits and assesses the intervention’s effectiveness over time. A switching-replications design implies that all the study participants should involve in direct communication via counter-narratives (Frenett & Dow, 2015). Furthermore, it is necessary to admit that the study will rely on the strategic choice theory. This theoretical framework implies that individuals decide whether they will share terrorist views or join a terrorist organization by analyzing this action’s possible costs and benefits (Berman, 2019). Thus, this theory explains that counter-narratives should outline the advantages of refraining from radicalization.

Conclusion

Online terrorism and radicalization are adverse and widespread phenomena that affect many individuals. That is why numerous online interventions exist to address this situation, and counter-narratives are among them. Evidence highlights a need to undertake an experimental study to assess the effectiveness of this intervention. A switching-replications design using the strategic choice theory is suitable to find whether online interventions, in general and the Sakinah campaign, in particular, are practical and successful.

References

Al-Saud, A. b. K. (2017). The tranquility campaign: A beacon of light in the dark world wide web. Perspectives on Terrorism, 11(2), 58-64.

Avis, W. R. (2016). The role of online/social media in countering violent extremism in East Africa. Applied Knowledge Services, 1-15.

Benkel, Y., Doucette, S., Godman, C., Hasty, K., Hoffecker, T., Conner, J., & Flynn, C. R. (2018). Digital influencing for CVE: Counter-messaging and digital mobilization. Georgetown Security Studies Review.

Berman, E. (2019). Evaluating the effectiveness of counter-narrative tactics in preventing radicalization [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. Walden University ScholarWorks.

Boucek, C. (2008). The Sakinah campaign and Internet counter-radicalization in Saudi Arabia. CTC Sentinel, 1(9), 1-3.

Braddock, K. (2020). Experimentation & quasi-experimentation in countering violent extremism: Directions of future inquiry. Resolve Network.

Briggs, R., & Feve, S. (2013). Review of programs to counter narratives of violent extremism: What works and what are the implications for government? Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Frenett, R., & Dow, M. (2015). One-to-one online interventions: A pilot CVE methodology. Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Helmus, T. C., & Klein, K. (2018). Assessing outcomes of online campaigns countering violent extremism: A case study of the Redirect Method. RAND Corporation.

Jordan, A. (2010). A New Approach? Deradicalization Programs and Counterterrorism. International Peace Institute.

Lewis, J., & Marsden, S. (2021). Countering violent extremism interventions: Contemporary research. Center for Research and Evidence on Security Treats.

Meleagrou-Hitchens, A., & Vidino, L. (2018). The challenges and limitations of online counter-narratives. PRIF Blog.

Radicalization Awareness Network. (2012). Proposed policy recommendations for the high level conference.

Tuck, H., & Silverman, T. (2016). The counter-narrative handbook. Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Von Behr, I., Reding, A., Edwards, C., & Gribbon, L. (2013). Radicalization in the digital era: The use of the Internet in 15 cases of terrorism and extremism. RAND Europe.

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