A third of terror suspects arrested in the EU last year were under 18 as violent extremist networks grow online

Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks on the United States, violent extremist networks still pose a significant threat to security in Europe, although the exact scale of the threat remains unclear. In response, authorities in nine European countries conducted a coordinated effort to disrupt what is known as "The COM." During this campaign in June and July, investigators discovered around 4,340 web addresses linked to the online community.

Over the past year, 45 terrorist attacks occurred across 10 EU countries, although none were large-scale incidents. About half of the attacks were either foiled or failed, resulting in six fatalities. In total, 486 individuals suspected of terrorist links were arrested across 21 member states. Approximately one-third of those detained were under the age of 18, primarily boys.

Europol does not track statistics on nihilistic violent extremism due to differing definitions and the potential overlap of such acts with ordinary criminal activity. However, a case in Finland involving a 16-year-old boy who stabbed three female classmates, as well as incidents in Italy where teenagers planned murders to gain online notoriety, illustrate the growing concern.

These offenses often stem from a fascination with violence and a desire for status within online communities. Authorities are particularly vigilant towards groups like "764," founded by American high school dropout Bradley Cadenhead, who now serves an 80-year prison sentence for child pornography and sex offenses. Despite his criminal history, the group continues to operate, highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating online radicalization.

Experts emphasize that preventing these violent incidents requires a balance between privacy and security, as the digital realm serves as a fertile ground for the connections between various threats.