In the 21st century, the rapid development of information and communication technologies and the expansion of the global Internet have become one of the most significant achievements of human civilization. Today, the Internet serves as a primary tool for accessing information, disseminating knowledge, developing the digital economy, and strengthening international relations. At the same time, alongside the wide opportunities that digital technologies provide for the development of society, their unlawful use can become a source of new threats to national and international security. One of these threats is the use of the Internet and social networks by terrorist and extremist groups to spread radical ideas, recruit new supporters, finance illegal activities, and create covert propaganda networks.
Analysis shows that in recent years, the forms and methods of activities of terrorist and extremist organizations have significantly changed. Whereas previously such groups mainly used traditional means of propaganda, today they choose the virtual space as the main tool for spreading their ideology. Social networks, websites, messengers, video platforms, and other digital services allow them to establish contact with thousands of people simultaneously and disseminate propaganda materials in different regions of the world within a short period of time.
An important feature of the Internet is that access to information is easy, fast, and often carried out without sufficient control. This factor allows extremist groups to conceal their activities through the use of fake names, false accounts, and closed networks while spreading extremist ideas. They use various digital tools to publish videos, images, texts, and propaganda messages, seeking to influence the minds of young people and change their worldview.
Young people represent one of the most vulnerable groups in the digital space. Youth is a period of forming a person’s worldview, moral values, and civic position. If during this period an individual is not surrounded by a healthy educational and social environment or has a low level of political and legal awareness, the likelihood of being influenced by extremist propaganda increases. Therefore, terrorist organizations primarily direct their propaganda toward young people, using psychological methods of influence, false promises, distortion of religious concepts, and the dissemination of unreliable information to involve them in illegal activities.
Digital technologies enable extremist groups to manage international networks without geographical limitations. The use of encrypted applications, hidden communication channels, virtual private networks, and other modern tools makes it more difficult to detect their activities. In addition, such groups use the Internet to collect funds, finance illegal activities, coordinate the actions of their members, and distribute criminal instructions.
In the context of globalization, combating the spread of extremist ideology on the Internet is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies. This issue requires the active participation of the entire society, including scientific and educational institutions, families, mass media, technology companies, and Internet users themselves. The experience of various countries shows that restricting access to extremist resources alone is insufficient. Along with this, it is necessary to improve digital literacy, media culture, and citizens’ ability to critically analyze information.
The Republic of Tajikistan considers preventing the use of the Internet for terrorist and extremist purposes as one of the important directions of state policy. The country has established the necessary legal framework to prevent the spread of extremist and terrorist materials. The Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, the laws of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Countering Terrorism,” “On Countering Extremism,” and other regulatory legal acts define the foundations of activities of state bodies and legal responsibility for the use of information technologies for unlawful purposes. At the same time, relevant authorities take concrete measures to identify and prevent the activities of extremist groups in the virtual space, determine the sources of prohibited materials, and ensure information security.
Educational and scientific institutions play an important role in this process. Schools, universities, and research centers should promote among young people a culture of responsible Internet use, teach information analysis skills, help identify reliable sources, and encourage respect for national and universal human values. The National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and other scientific institutions can make a significant contribution to studying the causes of the spread of extremist ideas in the digital environment, developing practical recommendations, and organizing scientific events.
Mass media also play an important role in shaping public opinion and countering extremist propaganda. The dissemination of reliable information, preparation of educational programs, improvement of public media literacy, and exposure of the destructive nature of terrorism and extremism can reduce the influence of radical propaganda. At the same time, the development of positive national content on social networks and the promotion of achievements in science, culture, and national values are of particular importance for creating a healthy information environment.
One of the effective ways to counter extremist ideology is the development of critical thinking. A person who has the ability to logically analyze information can distinguish false news, distorted information, and extremist propaganda materials from reliable sources. Therefore, increasing the level of political, legal, digital, and cultural literacy of citizens, especially young people, should remain one of the priorities of state policy.
Thus, the Internet and social networks themselves are not sources of threats; rather, they are tools that can be used both for the development of society and for achieving unlawful goals. Combating the spread of extremist ideas in the digital space can only be effective through coordinated efforts of state bodies, scientific and educational institutions, mass media, civil society, and every Internet user.
The Republic of Tajikistan pursues a consistent policy in this area by improving legislation, strengthening information security, increasing digital literacy among the population, and developing international cooperation aimed at protecting national security and preventing the spread of extremist ideology.
