Working with young people is crucial as official statistics published by the Home Office in March 2022 revealed that Individuals aged 15 to 20 accounted for the largest proportion (30%) of referrals to Prevent, with individuals aged under 15 accounting for 29%, followed by individuals aged between 21 and 30 (16%). Of all the Prevent referrals in 2021/2022, 33% were related to individuals with a vulnerability present, but no ideology or Counter-terrorism (CT) risk, 20% related to Extreme Right-Wing and 1% of concerns were incel-related. Whilst, all those in custody for terrorism-connected offences in Great Britain as of 30 September 2022, 28% were categorised as holding Extreme Right-Wing ideologies.

Furthermore, among the 804 recorded Channel cases during the same period, the most common reasons for referral were extreme right-wing radicalization (42%) and mixed, unstable, or unclear ideologies (15%).

The internet provides a relatively anonymous way for extremist recruiters to find potential recruits and expand their networks, and with 99% of 12–15 year-olds spending an average of twenty and a half hours a week on the internet, malevolent actors are continually developing misinformation and propagandistic messages to exploit the unguarded internet sphere and lead the youth into extremism.

In 2021 alone, The Office for National Statistics reported that 99% of adults in the UK aged 16 to 44 were recent internet users, compared with 54% of adults aged 75 years and over. Furthermore, research by Ofcom from September 2020 showed that ‘people aged 25-34 were the most likely to come across misinformation (36%), compared to those aged over 65 who were the least likely (21%). This focus is based on the idea of reaching our intended audience where they already spend a large portion of their time. Indeed, the internet is an integral part of everyday life for the majority of citizens, with nearly nine in ten UK adults and 99% of 12 to 15 year olds reporting being online on a daily basis.

Until every eligible voter is given the tools to understand how their government works and how to identify disinformation for themselves, extreme views and conspiracy theories will continue to grow, and democracy will suffer. Founded in 2015 to protect and amplify democracy, Shout Out UK (SOUK) is a social enterprise on a mission to ensure that political and media literacy education is available to everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, ethnicity, or gender and safeguard democracy and our rights for generations to come. We have worked with young people across the UK, ensuring they develop critical thinking skills, analytical abilities and confidence, empowering them to be democratically engaged and informed citizens.