Overview

• Extremist groups including far-right, Islamist and conspiracy ideologues are increasingly using voice chats, private groups and disguised content on gaming platforms to target children and youth.
• Authorities warn that the anonymity and technical barriers of online gaming hinder security interventions and allow extremist actors to operate undetected.
• Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Ministry describes a “dangerous pull” as social media algorithms amplify extremist content once users encounter it.
• On the initiative of Baden-Württemberg, interior ministers at the Bremerhaven conference will mandate comprehensive analysis of extremist recruitment strategies on social media, online forums and gaming platforms.
• Proposals will be developed to enhance cooperation among security agencies, gaming companies and youth and media protection institutions as officials say current efforts are still at an early stage.