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Overview

As the coronavirus poses a global rallying cry for conspiracy theorists and violent extremists, these groups appear more eager than ever to seize on this period in time. They range from white supremacists and anti-vaxxers in the U.S. to fascist and anti-refugee groups across Europe. Not all online groups peddling messages on the pandemic have links to the far right, but those extremists have become especially vocal in using the outbreak to push their political agenda where some are calling for violence, specifically at a time of deepening public uncertainty and economic trauma.

Combined with the reality that for the first time in modern history nearly 70 million youth are sitting home in front of computers conversing with friends, organizing homework, playing video games, more exposed to predators today than ever before. While the web offers countless opportunities for youth to connect, it has also provided violent extremists with access to new-found audiences and instruments for radicalization, grooming and inciting violence.

As disinformation and the questioning of authority and lack of trust in government can make the kinds of simplistic solutions offered by violent extremists and bad actors more appealing, extremists  instigating rebelliousness and calls to violence found this an ideal time to exploit youth grievances about their lack of agency, their families’ economic distress, and their intense sense of disorientation, confusion, fear, and anxiety. In the absence of their usual social support systems and networks of trusted adults and peers—as daily interactions with coaches, youth group leaders, employers, teachers, law enforcement and others have concluded—North American youth may become easy prey for the those seeking to radicalize or groom vulnerable youth, providing answers about who may be blameworthy for their plight.

This dynamic has created a perfect storm for extremist recruitment, radicalization, and those seeking to groom unsuspecting youth. Children and young people who are groomed can be sexually abused, exploited, or trafficked. Anyone can be a groomer, no matter their age, gender, or race.

Social services, law enforcement, educators, youth-oriented organizations all need to better recognize online youth radicalization, grooming methods and practices.

Speakers

To speak to these issues, we have gathered some of the nation’s most respected academics and practitioners, including Paul Goldenberg – Senior Fellow, Rutgers University Miller Center for Community Protection and Resilience and co-Chair of the DHS Youth Engagement Subcommittee; Cynthia Miller-Idriss – Director, Polarization & Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University; Lorin LaFave –  Founder, Breck Foundation , whose personal story will be shared after losing her own child to a groomer;  Mubin Shaikh – Team Member, Parents For Peace and Former extremist and undercover counterterrorism operative; and Caleb Cain –  Program Research Associate at PERIL and Former Right Wing Radical and sympathizer of the Alt-Right and White Nationalism.  These experts will provide information and resources to improve participant’s recognition and awareness of violent extremist groups and individuals who are propagating racist, anti-Semitic, xenophobic, anti-government messaging, symbols, and recruitment styles, as well as the kinds of apps and chat functions extremists are exploiting.

Webinar Details

Registration is required.  All registrants will receive a Zoom link for the webinar shortly after 5:00PM EST on October 18^th, which is when registration for this event closes.  If registration is closed, but you would still like to participate, please contact mark.g@rutgers.edu.

Agenda

4:00-4:05 – Welcome & Introductory Remarks

• John Farmer – Executive Director, Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics
• John Clark – President & CEO, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• Paul Goldenberg – Senior Fellow, Rutgers Miller Center for Community Protection and Resilience; Chair, US DHS HSAC Youth Engagement Subcommittee
• Chris Hill – Chairman, National Police Athletic League Board of Directors

4:05-4:15 – Defining Radical and Subversive Movements in the U.S.

• John Donohue – Chief, NYPD, Executive Officer (ret) Intelligence Division; and Advisor, Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI)
• Paul Goldenberg – Senior Fellow, Rutgers Miller Center for Community Protection and Resilience; Chair, US DHS HSAC Youth Engagement Subcommittee

4:15-4:30 – New Risks: Youth Radicalization and Understanding the Language

• Cynthia Miller-Idriss – Director, Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University

4:30-4:40 – Recognizing Signs of Online Grooming, Breck’s Story

• Lorin LaFave – Founder, Head of Education & External Affairs, Breck Foundation

4:40-5:00 – Preventing the Racist Digital Addiction: A Presentation on Online Youth Extremism

• Caleb Cain – Program Research Associate, Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University; and Former Right Wing Radical and sympathizer of the Alt-Right and White Nationalism

5:00-5:20 – Best Practices and Resources for Engaging, Where to Get Help

• Myrieme Churchill – Executive Director, Parents For Peace
• Mubin Shaikh –  Team Member, Parents For Peace; Former extremist and undercover counterterrorism operative
• Jeff Hood – CEO, National Police Athletic League 

5:20-5:35– Q & A and Conclusion

• Moderator – All Panelists