Young Shooters: Is There an Online "Ecology of Extremism"?

"By better understanding young shooters and the factors that influence the propensity to commit these crimes, we may be able to reduce the incidence of mass shootings. This post focuses on factors unique to the online ecosystems that many young people, especially young men, inhabit. While there isn't a universally accepted definition of a "mass shooting," roughly following The Violence Project and other researchers,"

"Mass shooters are disproportionately male. The United States leads the developed world in the number of mass shootings, with 73 percent of all mass shootings in developed countries. Shooters often experienced trauma in childhood and frequently expressed an emotional crisis before the shooting. The shooters are often "insiders" who target locations they know: 88 percent of shooters in K-12 schools and 89 percent of college campus shooters were students or connected to the school or college."

"While mass shooters have often experienced complex trauma, depression, or have other mental health challenges, emotional health factors are not the sole or even the most important factor driving their violence. A complex interplay of individual vulnerabilities, social dynamics, and digital environments shapes the psychology of radicalization among young adults. There is strong evidence that online spaces act as amplifiers and facilitators-rather than sole causes-of radicalization,"

Mass shooters are disproportionately male and the United States accounts for the majority of mass shootings in developed countries. Many shooters experienced childhood trauma and often signaled an emotional crisis before the attack. Most shooters target locations they know, with high percentages of school and campus shooters having direct connections to those institutions. While mental-health challenges and complex trauma are common, emotional health is not the sole or primary cause of violence. Online ecosystems can amplify vulnerabilities by facilitating exposure, social reinforcement, and normalization of extremist ideas. Parents, educators, professionals, and media can intervene to reduce radicalization and prevent violent outcomes.

Read at Psychology Today