ONLINE RADICALIZATION OF AMERICA’S MALE YOUTH

Gillian Stark

Abstract

The United States has, in recent years, struggled with the rise of the Alt-Right. A wing of political extremism associated with extreme conservatism, racism, anti-Semitism, and sexist ideals, the target demographic is young, white, Christian males. Multiple mass shootings have been attributed to the ideology and, in tracing its roots, one finds the home of such ideologies to be on online forums such as Reddit, 4chan, and 8chan. This paper analyzes the lax rules and lack of moderation on these sites that makes them a safe place for hateful ideologies. In addition, it finds that the sense of community these potential murders find on such sites can urge them to their hateful acts. Through memes, in-jokes, and manifestoes, the Alt-Right has found a long-term home in these forums.

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