The Last Word with Matt Cooper 63% Of Teens Come Across Extremist Views Online, New Study Shows
Dec 3, 2025
Dr. Darragh McCashin, an assistant professor at DCU's Anti-Bullying Centre, sheds light on a startling study revealing that 63% of young people encounter extremist views online. He delves into the concept of 'rage bait' and its appeal to young boys, linking it to the rise of short-form videos like TikTok. Additionally, Darragh discusses the alarming regression in masculinity influenced by figures like Andrew Tate, while advocating for tech regulation and improved media literacy to counteract the spread of misogynistic attitudes among youth.
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Online Exposure Far Outstrips Real Life
- 63% of young people report encountering extremist views online versus 6% in real life.
- The gap shows the internet amplifies exposure beyond offline social circles.
Rage Bait Fuels Engagement
- 'Rage bait' drives engagement by provoking anger and constant scrolling.
- Short-form video formats and algorithms reward negative, extreme content with more visibility.
Algorithms Push Retro Masculinity
- Extremist gender messaging promotes a regression to an older version of masculinity.
- Algorithms often feed those scripts to boys even if they do not seek them out.