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STRATEGIES FOR PROTECTING YOUTH AND WOMEN FROM
EXTREMISM THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA: INTERNATIONAL
EXPERIENCES AND PRACTICES IN UZBEKISTAN
Elmirzayev Farrukh Yulchiboevich
Officer of the Counter-Terrorism Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Republic of
Uzbekistan. Email: Farruh_uz@inbox.ru, phone: +998 71 231-48-45 (work),
+998 90 110-64-00 (mobile)
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14130753
Annotation:
This article examines effective measures and experiences from
various countries aimed at protecting young people and women from
radicalization and negative influences through social media. The analysis
includes platforms such as Uzbekistan's "Girls' Academy" and Germany's "Islam-
ist." These programs help to enhance digital literacy, develop critical thinking
skills, and enable young individuals to critically assess online information,
thereby safeguarding them from the impacts of extremism.
Keywords:
social media, radicalization, online safety, extremism, digital
literacy, social media.
To develop effective measures for protecting women and youth from
extremist ideologies, radicalization, and various negative influences on the
internet, experiences from different countries have been studied. For instance:
Girls' Academy
— a free learning and development platform in Uzbekistan
designed for women of all ages. This platform offers various modules that
include health, modern professions, crafts, education, entrepreneurship,
psychological, and legal knowledge. The lessons, specialized programs, and
materials are aimed at providing knowledge ranging from beginner to
professional levels.
The Girls' Academy aims to improve literacy among women in various
fields, helping them find their place in society and be active in independent life.
After registering, users can access interactive lessons and Q&A modules for
learning. By actively participating in this community, women can find supportive
networks and acquire new skills.
The
Islam-ist platform
is an online Q&A platform organized by Germany's
Violence Prevention Network. Its purpose is to provide clear and
understandable answers from an Islamic perspective to questions that Muslim
youth may encounter in daily life. The platform is aimed at preventing
radicalization by offering accurate information about Islam to dispel negative
stereotypes and misconceptions.
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Islam-ist maintains regular communication with youth through social
media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, using various tools to
reach a broader audience. Within the platform, sections such as "Islam and
Diversity," "Islam and Leisure," and "Islam and Communication" allow young
people to learn how Islamic knowledge applies to contemporary life.
Information about Islamic wisdom and values is presented in a Q&A format,
providing practical answers and advice relevant to the daily lives of young
people.
The platform also includes videos explaining Quranic verses and Islamic
terms, enabling youth to grasp Islamic knowledge in a simple and
understandable way. These videos are designed to align with young people's
interests and aim to provide them with accurate information [1].
he
Diamond Program
, implemented by the Netherlands' Intercultural
Participation and Integration Fund, is a support initiative aimed at assisting
young people aged 12 to 24 in addressing various personal and social
challenges. This program provides a safe and inclusive online environment
where youth can openly explore and discuss sensitive topics, including gender
roles, relationships, personal identity, love, and self-expression. By offering a
structured space for these discussions, the Diamond Program encourages young
people to express themselves, share experiences, and receive guidance on issues
that are often difficult to address in everyday life.
Through facilitated online conversations and interactive sessions, the
Diamond Program helps youth develop essential life skills and critical thinking
abilities, allowing them to navigate complex social topics confidently. The
program’s emphasis on open dialogue enables participants to ask questions
about privacy, societal expectations, and personal relationships. These
discussions empower youth by enhancing their self-awareness, empathy, and
respect for others, which are key qualities for positive personal development.
Beyond personal growth, the Diamond Program actively promotes social
integration among youth by encouraging interaction between individuals from
diverse cultural backgrounds. It aims to break down barriers, foster mutual
understanding, and cultivate an appreciation for cultural differences. By
bridging gaps between varied perspectives, the program helps young
participants recognize and challenge stereotypes and biases, ultimately
encouraging a more cohesive and inclusive society.
In addition, the Diamond Program’s resources include guided workshops
and training sessions that offer practical advice on managing relationships and
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understanding the complexities of gender roles in different cultural contexts.
These resources provide valuable insights that help youth understand and
respect diverse viewpoints while developing a balanced approach to identity
and personal values.
The program not only supports individual development but also
strengthens community bonds by fostering solidarity and shared learning
among participants. By guiding youth toward open-mindedness and tolerance,
the Diamond Program plays a crucial role in preparing a generation of informed,
compassionate, and culturally aware young people who can contribute
positively to society [2].
Life After Hate
: Based in the United States, Life After Hate offers support
for vulnerable online users, provided by former extremists and psychologists.
This organization provides various support services to individuals, including
young people and their family members, who are emerging from extremist
environments.
Life After Hate's main objective is to prevent radicalization, restore friendly
relations within society, and protect young people from negative influences.
Through its targeted, informed, and adaptable approach, the platform aids
individuals from extremist environments in reintegrating into social life. By
promoting the concept of "sisterhood" and creating alternative networks and
connections outside extremist circles, Life After Hate encourages positive
relationships and social reintegration. Many members are former extremists
who are now committed to changing their lives, renouncing radical ideologies,
and playing positive roles in society [3].
JUUUPORT
is a non-profit organization based in Germany, established in
2010 by the Niedersächsische Landesmedienanstalt (Lower Saxony Media
Authority) to provide counseling and support for young people navigating the
complexities and risks of the digital world. Now operating as a charitable
organization known as JUUUPORT e.V., the initiative aims to create a safe,
anonymous space where youth can seek help for challenges they face online.
The organization is committed to offering support on a range of internet-
related issues that increasingly affect young users. These include
cyberbullying,
hate speech, privacy violations, cyber protection
, and exposure to
extremist
content
. JUUUPORT’s services are designed to be accessible and confidential,
encouraging young people to reach out without fear of judgment or exposure.
The organization’s counselors are trained to address both the emotional and
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practical aspects of these challenges, providing personalized guidance to
empower youth in managing online conflicts and building resilience.
One of JUUUPORT’s key focuses is on supporting
young women and girls
,
who often encounter unique challenges online. The organization recognizes the
particular vulnerabilities of these groups, offering them tailored advice and
resources to navigate online environments confidently and safely. In addition to
direct counseling, JUUUPORT also focuses on preventive education, helping
young users develop skills to recognize and respond to harmful content
proactively.
JUUUPORT engages with youth on social media platforms like
Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok
, providing resources, tips, and
support through channels that young people are familiar with and use
frequently. By establishing a strong online presence, JUUUPORT meets young
people where they are, fostering an approachable and relevant connection. This
proactive engagement on social media also allows the organization to reach a
broader audience, raising awareness about the importance of digital safety and
the mental health impacts of cyber challenges.
The organization’s funding primarily comes from
various German media
authorities and organizations
, ensuring the sustainability of its mission to
support youth. Through this backing, JUUUPORT continues to expand its
services and maintain high standards of counseling, training its advisors to
understand emerging digital trends and threats.
JUUUPORT also offers peer-to-peer support, where young people, trained as
advisors, help others navigate online issues. This peer-support model is highly
effective, as it enables youth to communicate with advisors who understand
their generation’s unique challenges and digital habits. This approach fosters a
sense of community and trust, as young users find comfort in sharing their
experiences with peers who genuinely understand their perspective.
Overall, JUUUPORT plays a crucial role in fostering a safer and more
supportive online environment for young people in Germany, equipping them
with the tools and confidence to handle digital challenges responsibly and
confidently. By focusing on both support and prevention, JUUUPORT not only
helps youth manage current online issues but also educates them on
maintaining a healthy, secure relationship with technology in the future [4].
Web-constables Program
by the Estonian Police and Border Guard is an
initiative where police officers serve as online safety representatives. This
program includes monitoring cyberspace and managing accounts on social
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media platforms. The Web-constables Program actively works to maintain
internet safety in the community, combating extremist activities and online
threats. Police officers in this program alert users to potential dangers, explain
the importance of cyber protection, and assist in gathering information on
online crimes.
The program's goal is to strengthen internet safety in the community,
ensure the security of users online, and guide social interactions on the internet.
As a significant tool in maintaining digital safety, the Web-constables Program
plays an active role in countering online extremism [5].
In conclusion, today’s youth, especially young girls, have access to essential
information and the ability to connect with friends through social media
platforms, which have become an integral part of their lives. Social media makes
it easy for youth to broaden their worldview, make new friends, and access
information on various topics. However, many young people lack the skills to
assess the reliability of online information, increasing their susceptibility to
misinformation, manipulation, and harmful propaganda.
To prevent women and girls from being influenced by foreign ideas through
social media, the following recommendations are proposed:
Digital Literacy and Source Verification Skills: In today's digital world, it is
essential for women, especially young girls, to develop skills for evaluating the
reliability of online information. Digital literacy programs should be developed
to teach youth how to recognize propaganda, misinformation, and extremist
content. For example, programs like Ireland’s BE MEDIA SMART initiative
combine fact-checking tools and databases to help users develop skills in using
credible sources. Such programs can be a vital tool in protecting youth from the
risk of radicalization [6].
Recognizing Extremist Propaganda: Extremist groups often disseminate
propaganda in subtle forms aimed at attracting young women and girls.
Therefore, women should develop skills to identify these types of extremist
propaganda and recognize suspicious content. Specialized training and
educational materials should be created to achieve these goals, enabling youth
to develop critical thinking skills to differentiate narratives and evaluate their
essence [7].
Implementing Platforms and Tools to Promote Digital Literacy: The
introduction of digital tools and online learning programs specifically designed
for women and girls can enhance their immunity to misinformation and
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manipulation on the internet. These platforms provide information to help
navigate various challenges and identify suspicious content.
Supporting Critical Thinking Development: Separate guides, training, and
webinars should be organized to develop critical thinking skills. Through these
programs, youth will learn to evaluate the reliability of various messages and
information by focusing on the source, purpose, and content, thus increasing
their resistance to misinformation and helping protect them from harmful
content on the internet.
Creating Alternative Social Networks and Safe Support Groups: Establishing
safe and effective support groups for women will help them maintain healthy
relationships on social networks. Such groups play a significant role in uniting
young people and distancing them from the influence of extremism. Positive
connections and a supportive environment help protect them from negative
influences.
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online media practices: Between internalised misogyny and “embedded
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