A critical use of ISIS' use of social media (original) (raw)

ISIS’ use of cyberspace has become a noticeable problem in recent years, because of this it is fundamental to understand how they use and exploit social media so state and non-state actors can counter this activity. This dissertation focuses on how ISIS use and exploit social media platforms such as Twitter and Telegram. A secondary data analysis of relevant and recent information was gathered from multiple sources to form a literature review and to compile a list of the core uses of social media by ISIS. Propaganda/ publicity, Recruitment, radicalisation, and Networking/Information where all identified in this dissertation as the core uses of social media. ISIS use certain social media platforms and exploit these websites; however, cyberspace has evolved and ISIS are now using new encrypted messenger apps with which they can have private conversations on alongside Twitter and Facebook. Counter measures have been and are still being put in place to stop this happening. The government has also designed specific strategies such as Prevent and Channel to help social media counter terrorism on their websites. This dissertation increases the reader’s knowledge of terrorists’ use of the internet and exposes the reader to new uses and methods that ISIS have adopted. It also outlines social media and government strategies for countering terrorism online.