BRIEF: Understanding Online Pathways to Radicalization and Opportunities for Intervention

The study examined the experiences of individuals currently or formerly in fringe communities, their progression through stages of increased investment, and why they left.

The authors of this study published an article on it, which you can read here: How People Get Sucked into Misinformation Rabbit Holes – and How to Get Them Out, originally published in The Conversation.

Summary

This report investigates the pathways to radicalization through a comprehensive study spanning from online observation of fringe groups to in-depth interviews with former believers of misinformation and conspiracy theories. The research, conducted between 2022 and 2023, identifies the stages of radicalization from initial uncertainties and questions to the commitment of harm based on analyzing social media posts, news reports, and discussions in online deradicalization spaces.

Key Findings