Radicalization and the Use of Social Media

The use of social media tools by individuals and organizations to radicalize individuals for political and social change has become increasingly popular as the Internet penetrates more of the world and mobile computing devices are more accessible. To establish a construct for radicalization,the power and reach of social media will be described so there is common understanding of what social media is and how it is utilized by various individuals and groups. The second section will answer the question of why social media applications are the perfect platform for the radical voice. Finally, the use of social media and its influence in radicalizing populations in Northern Africa and the Middle East during 2011 will be analyzed and recommendations proposed. This article is available in Journal of Strategic Security: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol4/iss4/9 Journal of Strategic Security Volume 4 Issue 4 2011, pp. 167-190 DOI: 10.5038/1944-0472.4.4.8 Journal of Strategic Security (c) 2011 ISSN: 1944-0464 eISSN: 1944-0472 167 Radicalization and the Use of Social Media Robin Thompson National Aeronautical and Space Administration dr.robin.thompson@gmail.com