The Impact of Social Media on Terror-related Groups

Abstract

The use of social media platforms has increased dramatically over the past decade with the spread of highpowered mobile internet access and subscriptions. Social media platforms have provided terrorists with a greater ability to disseminate propaganda to targeted audiences, create new forms of interactive and user-generated propaganda, and empowered groups to engage in sophisticated brand development. This has led to the development of a symbiosis between terrorist groups, social media operations, and traditional media companies. The following section presents the case studies that illustrate some ways in which terror-related groups across Asia Pacific have used social media and how this is changing the way these organisations operate. Managing these effectively whilst keeping up with the rapid innovation found in the online space will ensure that social media remains a highly challenging operating space for all those seeking engagement, whether they be nation states or terror related groups.