The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) and the Tech Coalition co-hosted a webinar on the intersections of terrorist and violent extremist online content and child harms, including lessons learned and cross-sector solutions that have been developed to address these risks. The event featured a panel of experts and practitioners representing a variety of sectors and a multistakeholder audience comprised of members of the tech sector, civil society, and government.
The webinar called attention to the evolution of hybridized threat networks and terrorist and violent extremist movements targeting children and youth. Speakers noted challenges presented by the blurred boundaries between harm types, the effects on victims and survivors, and opportunities that exist for cross-sector collaboration and threat intervention. Awareness of some of the organizational aspects of groups fostering these harms was critical for developing more targeted and collaborative responses, speakers underscored.
As the threat landscape continues to evolve, GIFCT is committed to supporting its 33 member tech platforms with the technical solutions, tools, and resources necessary to combat terrorists and violent extremists online. GIFCT’s 2025 Working Groups include a focus on addressing youth radicalization; investigating online harms; and threats and opportunities posited by artificial intelligence. GIFCT’s research and analysis arm, the Global Network on Extremism and Technology, also reflects GIFCT member concerns and priorities through its publications, and offers numerous Insights on related topics.
Through several multistakeholder workstreams, knowledge products, and information-sharing forums GIFCT is devoting extra attention to the terrorist exploitation of children and the growing threat of hybrid networks.
GIFCT is grateful to the Tech Coalition and the panelists for contributing to this important dialogue.
