In a disturbing development, a new breed of young terrorists, dubbed "TikTok terrorists," is posing a significant threat to the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
This alarming trend, revealed in an extensive investigation, exposes how social media platforms are being exploited to radicalize teenagers and young adults, with Jewish communities as their primary targets.
Since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, law enforcement agencies across Britain and Western Europe have apprehended 61 alleged Islamist terrorists linked to 28 separate plots. In a startling revelation, nearly two-thirds of these suspects—40 individuals—were 19 or younger, with the youngest being just 14 years old.
Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at King's College London and originator of the term "TikTok terrorists," describes this as "a totally new phenomenon." He recently briefed the French Interior Ministry on these dangers, explaining the rapid progression from online radicalization to real-world violence.
The threat is particularly acute for the Paris Olympics. French authorities are implementing unprecedented security measures, with 35,000 police and gendarmes, 10,000 troops, and 10,000 private security personnel to be deployed for the opening ceremony alone.
Social media platforms play a central role in this radicalization process. TikTok, X/Twitter, and Telegram have become breeding grounds for antisemitic content and terrorist propaganda. Researchers at the Centre for Countering Digital Hate have uncovered 10 separate hashtags on TikTok containing antisemitic videos that have been viewed over 53 million times.
Recent arrests across Europe underscore the gravity of the situation:
- In Brussels, 11 suspects, all 18 or under, were arrested for plotting an attack on the Le Botanique concert venue, inspired by the 2016 Bataclan attack in Paris
- In Germany and Switzerland, a group led by a 15-year-old girl planned attacks on bars, churches, and a synagogue in Iserlohn.
- In Zurich, a 15-year-old boy was arrested for the near-fatal stabbing of an Orthodox Jewish man.
- In Leeds, UK, Mohammad Farooq, a trainee nurse, was convicted of attempting to bomb St James's Hospital after being radicalized on TikTok.
The investigation also reveals that terror groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic State, and al-Qaeda are actively exploiting these platforms. They post propaganda videos, often bearing their official logos, and use viewer data to identify potential recruits.
As Paris prepares for the Olympic Games, security experts warn that while extensive measures are in place, the threat remains real. Marc Hecker, deputy director of the French Institute of International Relations, notes that despite the massive security presence, "it could still happen."
This online radicalization presents a formidable challenge to law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It demands constant vigilance and adaptation to counter the threat posed by this new digital frontier of terrorism, especially as the world's attention turns to Paris for the Olympic Games.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.