Parents as Protectors in Preventing Online Radicalization in Young Boys

• In Event: The Impact of Social Bonds on Delinquency

Abstract

Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting their children from adverse experiences such as violent victimization, substance use, mental health, and even online radicalization. For example, parent involvement can help prevent long periods of internet use thereby limiting opportunities for exposure to radicalizing online spaces and parent monitoring can identify problematic internet use early. Warm parent-child relationships prevent radicalization by giving young boys healthy connections, leaving them resilient to potentially unhealthy and negative online spaces, and more likely to alert their parents to harmful content they see online. To our knowledge, there is no research to this date that makes the connection that parents can prevent young boys’ online radicalization to extremist far-right ideologies, including male supremacy. This article explores how factors such as family dynamics, gendered belief systems of the parents, age of the parents, political ideologies of the parents, and more make boys more susceptible or resilient to radicalizing ideologies on the internet. The ultimate goal of this article is to provide guidance to prevention providers on how to help parents engage in behavior that will prevent radicalization and promote healthy childhood development and relationships.

Authors

• Brandie Pugh, West Virginia University

• Ericka Y. Portillo, West Virginia University

• Mackenzie Freeman, West Virginia University

• Elizabeth Moberly, West Virginia University