The Social Chemist Radicalization within the Online Gaming Community & A Gender Perspective in Countering Extremism w/ Dr. Jessica White
Aug 28, 2024
Dr. Jessica White, Acting Director of Terrorism and Conflict Studies at the Royal United Services Institute, delves into the intricate links between online gaming and extremist recruitment. She discusses how digital spaces are exploited for radicalization, particularly among the 3.32 billion gamers worldwide. Jessica emphasizes the importance of gender mainstreaming in counter-terrorism, critiquing conventional approaches that overlook gender's role. She also highlights how far-right narratives manipulate gender stereotypes, urging a comprehensive strategy to combat these issues in gaming communities.
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Extremism in Gaming vs Social Media
- Online gaming spaces differ markedly from social media in how extremist content circulates due to less moderation.
- Gaming communities build trust through cooperation, making them fertile ground for radicalization exploitation.
Gender's Hidden Role in Radicalization
- Gender is often overlooked in radicalization analysis despite playing a crucial role.
- Extremist narratives often depend on gendered social roles and appeals to protective masculinity.
Gendered Dynamics Fuel Extremism
- Gender roles shape both recruitment and radicalization processes across extremist ideologies.
- Women are viewed as bearers of the next generation; men as protectors, fueling gendered extremist narratives.
