Staying safe from online radicalisation

An important part of keeping people safe is protecting them from those who may try to groom and exploit them.

Grooming happens when someone takes advantage of another person by persuading them to think and do things that they would not otherwise do.

This can include encouraging someone to develop support for extremist ideas, these may be political, religious or other causes. The person being groomed may be encouraged to feel anger and intolerance towards other people, groups or communities. People exposed to these forms of grooming can become radicalised. They may come to believe that actions need to be taken to advance their ideas, including violence. In very extreme cases they may come to support terrorist activity.

People can be radicalised in many ways, including through the internet, social media and online gaming sites. It can happen to anyone, although some people may be more vulnerable because of factors such as:

• being isolated from family, friends or the community
• experiencing discrimination, bullying or harassment
• having a grievance against a person, group or cause

Radicalisation can happen over anything from a few days to several years. The signs to look out for include:

• becoming more secretive, especially around internet use
• spending increasing amounts of time communicating with friends they have met online
• becoming isolated from family and friends
• developing a fixation on a particular subject
• expressing intolerance or hatred of other people or communities
• changing appearance to reflect association with a group or cause
• expressing thoughts about harming or using violence towards others

When someone becomes radicalised it can endanger their safety and welfare, and the safety and welfare of those around them. By intervening early you can ensure that the person you are concerned about receives support to keep them safe, preventing them from further radicalisation.

Support is provided by a range of organisations which work together to safeguard and protect people from those who seek to radicalise them.

If you are concerned that someone you know is being radicalised, find advice and support on the ACT Early website or contact the national prevent advice line in confidence on 0800 011 3764.

If you feel there is an immediate threat to life, call 999.

You can report suspicious activity or behaviour in strictest confidence by calling the Anti-Terror Hotline on 0800 789 321 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you find extremist material online you can report it at www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

You can find further information and support from the following organisations:

• Educate against Hate (for parents and educators)
• Let’s Talk About It

Radicalisation is just one form of grooming and exploitation that can happen to children and adults. If you are concerned that someone is being groomed or exploited in other ways visit the North Somerset Safeguarding website.