Part I - Pathways to Radicalization: How Teens Are Drawn In

On January 14, 2026, the Program on Extremism (PoE) at The George Washington University hosted a virtual, high-level panel discussion to address the growing trend of youth radicalization and to identify the pathways in which teens are drawn into extremist ideology. The event, moderated by PoE Senior Research Fellow David Collins, featured Sandra Bradley, Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, and Jacob Ware.

 

Representing families impacted by Islamic radicalization, the conversation began with Sandra Bradley, a mother who watched her son become indoctrinated into extremist Islamic ideology. She emphasized that her son was like many American children, pointing to his ambition and achievements, most notably earning the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts. He possessed a deep fascination with religion and a persistent curiosity about how people incorporate and express faiths in their lives. Sandra noted that these same qualities, which made her son distinctive, made him vulnerable to the targeted recruitment methods used by extremists. She described his pathway towards radicalization as a “perfect storm” of psychological conditions: isolation, vulnerability, and a desire to make sense of personal confusion.

 

Sandra also addressed the challenges families face in recognizing early signs of extremism, particularly given the limited resources available to inform parents and educators on radicalization. Sandra recalled the speed of her son’s radicalization, from his initial conversion to Islam, to quickly developing a rigid intolerance of religions that once fascinated him. Over time, her son’s behavior grew increasingly erratic and secretive, spending most of his time at mosques or listening to Islamic clerics on his phone. Sandra described the shock of discovering that her son had married an older Muslim woman over Zoom, uncovered only after hiring a private detective to follow him. Around the same time an extremist, who was known to her son, attempted to coerce him into traveling overseas, drawing the attention of federal authorities. Ultimately, Sandra’s son became the target of an FBI investigation that culminated in his arrest.

 

The discussion then turned to Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern who addressed the underlying psychological and developmental conditions that can make young people more susceptible to radicalization. She explained that teenagers and adolescents, whose brains are still developing, often have greater difficulty regulating emotions and are more prone to cognitive distortions, including “black-and-white” thinking. Dr. Bar-Halpern noted that this tendency is a hallmark feature in many cases of adolescent radicalization, as extremist groups simplify complex narratives into seemingly black and white choices.

 

Dr. Bar-Halpern went on to explain how the search for meaning, belonging, and independence among young people can be weaponized by extremist groups. These groups often lure adolescents by presenting extremist ideology as a solution to emotional grievances, while simultaneously isolating them from alternative communities and perspectives. By amplifying fears and concerns, the extremist groups position themselves as protectors to the individual. She noted that such tactics may be especially effective for some individuals experiencing conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or anxiety, which can affect impulse control. Dr. Bar-Halpern concluded that while these vulnerabilities can increase susceptibility to radicalization, they also create a critical window of opportunity for intervention. By identifying early risk factors, families, educators, and mental health professionals can help steer vulnerable individuals toward supportive relationships and resources that fill the same emotional needs extremist groups seek to exploit.

 

The panel concluded with Jacob Ware, who offered an analysis of the global rise in child-led violent extremism. Central to Ware's argument was the role social media has played in removing the geographical barriers that once separated extremist groups from potential recruits. He pointed to the rise of the Islamic State as a powerful example of how effective online propaganda can be, enabling the group to attract an influx of young Westerners to its cause. Moreover, Ware argued that the proliferation of social media has created an ecosystem in which extremist ideologies across the spectrum can form and spread, expanding the pool of radicalized communities young people can align with - a key factor in the emergence of groups like the 764 network. Building on Dr. Bar-Halpern’s remarks, Ware highlighted the growing prominence of personal grievances - including bullying, romantic frustration, and isolation - that are increasingly cited as rationales for youth-led violence. Ware warned that the traditional counterterrorism measures that defined the war on terror are ill-equipped to address the phenomenon of youth radicalization. Instead, Ware concluded by emphasizing the need for long term innovative political, strategic, and social measures to confront this crisis.