New jugendschutz.net reportIslamist influencing in social media
With their posts and videos, some of which have been clicked on millions of times, Islamist influencers speak the language of young people and captivate minors. They mix everyday topics and advice on how to lead a religious life with anti-democratic and misanthropic statements or hatred of Israel.
jugendschutz.net has reviewed the offerings of key players and shows in the current report shows how radical preachers and activists stage themselves and spread extremist messages.
Information and tips for parents and educational professionals
Islamist influencers...
- ... know how to win over the 'TikTok generation'
Extremists have discovered the power of influencing on social media. Instead of marketing lifestyle products, the focus is on propagating religious fundamentalist ideas, radical political views and winning over and mobilizing like-minded people. On YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, young people are addressed directly in their everyday information environment. In this way, Islamists could also become part of the everyday media lives of children and young people.
Tip: Ask them to show you the channels, memes and videos that children and young people like to consume on social media. Find out about how social networks such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram work and their effect on young people and problematic influencing. - ... specifically address young people who have experienced racism and marginalization
Islamist influencers speak of a systematic "fight against Muslims" and an "Islamophobic assimilation agenda" by politicians and the media. Real or supposed anti-Muslim incidents and debates (e.g. on the headscarf ban) are used for this purpose and exaggerated or abbreviated in a polarizing way to serve simplified friend-foe schemes. Young people with experience of racism and marginalization in particular can feel targeted by these actors, who present themselves as knowledgeable and eloquent champions of the disenfranchised.
Tip: Listen. Create space and an atmosphere of trust for genuine exchange, differentiated and empathetic conversations about experiences of racism and marginalization. - ... provide guidance on life issues
Adolescents face many questions and uncertainties during puberty. In their search for identity and role models, they often look for answers on the internet. Preachers from the Islamist spectrum take advantage of this and answer questions about how to lead a life in accordance with the faith by appearing as authority figures and attracting young people seeking guidance. They present themselves as advisors, contact persons, charismatic thought leaders or representatives of the interests of all Muslims. Between generally spiritual, humorous and age-relevant topics, however, there are always discriminatory and derogatory statements about women, queer people, people of other faiths or democracy in general.
Tip: Maintain a lively dialog with children about humanistic values, tolerance and existential questions of life. - ... call for violence and incitement against Israel
The Israel-Gaza conflict is being used to incite violence against the Jewish population. Clear verbal constructions of the enemy and frightening images from Gaza reinforce hatred. The Hamas attack and the taking of hostages and killing of innocent civilians by Islamist influencers are almost completely ignored.
Tip: Convey empathy for all victims of the conflict and show children and young people where they can find fact-based and objective news. - ... convey enemy stereotypes
Islamist influencers often convey a restrictive world view and incite hatred towards certain population groups. Open queerophobia and misogyny can be seen on many channels and are no longer taboo, but part of the strategy of mostly male influencers.
Tip: Convey an open world view and respect for one another. This is possible and necessary in almost all everyday situations and from an early age.
Advice and support
- Radicalization Advice Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees BAMF: advises on issues relating to Salafist radicalization.
- Hayat: a Germany-wide advice centre for people and relatives of people who become radicalized by Salafism or join militant jihadism and may travel to conflict regions.
- Salam advice centre: offers advice for young people and adults at risk of radicalization due to Islamist/religious reasons, young people who want to distance themselves from extremist tendencies, relatives and the social environment of young people at risk or already radicalized, teachers, social workers and other social space actors.
- Violence Prevention Network: an association of experienced professionals who have been working since 2001 in the prevention of extremism and the deradicalization of young people at risk from right-wing extremism and Islamism.
- PROvention: Prevention and advice center against religiously motivated extremism in Schleswig-Holstein.
Further information from klicksafe
Information on the topic of Salafism can be found in our topic area and in our handout.
