The radicalisation of youth: the contagion of ideologically motivated violent extremism throughout COVID-19

Young people’s engagement with radicalisation and their accelerated transition to ideologically motivated violent extremism, is at the heart of our understanding of the already securitised environment within Australia. Existing research has centred predominantly on religiously motivated violent extremism, leading to practitioners unfounded assertions in this developing space. In response, this dissertation focuses on the pre-disposing factors and commonalities which expose youth at-risk to ideologically motivated violent extremism. This thesis argues that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased feelings of alienation and loneliness, accelerated the rate of radicalisation and ideologically motivated perspectives within Australia, particularly for young people. Insights will emerge from the application of social network analysis theories and analysis of extremist narratives, related online content, increased isolation, emerging anti-authoritarian and anti-vaccine trends, and how these interplay with social networks. Book-ended from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the end of 2022, this dissertation provides a springboard for future research by offering insights into the commonalities of at-risk youth and the accelerated the transition from radicalisation ideologically motivated violent extremism.