Lisa Kaati, research leader at the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI), warns that people are being radicalized on this type of platform.
- These platforms are quite large and with many visitors and the risk of individuals being drawn into this conversational climate is quite large, she says.
FOI's report was prepared on behalf of the European Commission, which mapped violent right-wing extremism in digital environments.
People who feel silenced by the social media giants then move to other, open platforms with little or no moderation at all.
- The platforms are characterized by the fact that you can express what you want without removing anything, says Lisa Kaati.
Right-wing extremist images are displayed
On many of the platforms examined in the report, 10 to 15 percent of the posts consist of hateful posts, often images, of a right-wing extremist nature.
Common are calls for or justification of violence, for example against different groups of people.
In recent years, several terrorist attacks have been carried out with right-wing extremist signs and according to SÄPO, pro-violence right-wing extremism is also a growing threat in Sweden.
There is a risk, Lisa Kaati believes, that this rhetoric may inspire people to commit acts of violence.
- It is an ideology that is spread, but it is also a loosely connected network where you do not need to have direct contact but still feel a sense of belonging with others in these environments.
Terrorists hailed
This week it was ten years since Anders Behring Breivik carried out the terrorist attack in Norway and according to Lisa Kaati, a culture has emerged within the violent right-wing extremism on the internet where former assassins are highlighted as heroes and role models on the platforms.
- He was one of the first mass murderers who was somehow the starting point for this hero culture.
And especially after the mosque shooting in Christchurch saw an increase in how to pay tribute to former perpetrators.
Trying to keep pace
Lisa Kaati says that it is difficult to handle this type of post.
- There are new platforms almost daily and we do not know which ones will be popular or will remain. Development is going so fast. This also applies when we look at how the language develops and how the ideological orientations develop. So it is important to constantly try to keep up with developments both from the research and the law enforcement authorities.