Conclusion Paper: How and Why Minors and Youth are Attracted by Extremist Ideologies?

Preventing youth radicalisation has become a central and evolving challenge for families, educators, mental health services, law enforcement authorities, and security services. Today's extremist groups utilise sophisticated digital strategies—gamification, hybrid ideologies, and targeted psychological manipulation—to exploit the vulnerabilities of minors and young individuals. This complex phenomenon is driven by a confluence of societal, personal, and technological forces.

Young people, in their search for identity and purpose, are drawn to extremist ideologies that offer a sense of belonging. The initial appeal often comes through seemingly harmless online content, which gradually indoctrinates them into radical worldviews. Importantly, youth are now active creators and distributors of radicalising content within their digital spaces, amplifying the problem.

The inaugural meeting of EU knowledge Hub Thematic Panel on Ideologies and Conspiracy Narratives took place in Brussels in March 2025, and addressed the critical issue of minors and youth being attracted by extremist ideologies and conspiracy narratives, including jihadist, right-wing, and far-left. This first meeting was attended by 37 members of the Thematic Panel, including a variety of policymakers, practitioners, and researchers from Member States. The meeting focused on understanding the "how and why" of this phenomenon.

This Conclusion Paper summarises the key outcomes of the meeting’s sessions, presenting first the highlights of the different presentations and discussions, and detailing some conclusions and specific recommendations derived from the event.