Young gamers reportedly at risk of far-right extremism

Online gaming is being utilised to recruit young people into far-right extremist groups.

This revelation follows a report published by the Home Office regarding the Prevent anti-extremism programme.

Figures indicate that the majority (46 per cent) of referrals of individuals vulnerable to radicalisation are related to Extreme Right-Wing radicalisation.

As reported by The Guardian, the utilisation of online apps and platforms is increasingly being noted in referrals of far-right extremism, according to Prevent coordinator Sean Arbuthnot.

In particular, this includes gaming platforms and chat apps such as Discord.

Arbuthnot discussed the tactics employed by these far-right groups, who promote the notion that Covid is a hoax and depict white people as a minority in Britain.

“If you engage with them on a YouTube platform and scroll through the comments section, you may come across links to additional encrypted chatrooms or extreme right-wing codes or signs and symbols that may tempt you to explore,” Arbuthnot said.

“That is one of the concerning ways in which right-wing extremists can prey on the fears sparked by Covid-19 and conspiracies to, essentially, groom vulnerable young people in the online realm.”

A Home Office spokesperson stated: “It is of the utmost importance that if anyone has concerns about someone they believe may be undergoing radicalisation, they take prompt action and seek assistance.”