Very few young people know who to contact if they know someone who they think is becoming radicalised. That is one of the findings in a new study from the Center for Extremism Research at the University of Oslo. 48.9 per cent of the respondents do not know who to contact, and 37 per cent are unsure. – The vast majority do not know where to turn if they are worried about a friend. It indicates that there is a need for information, says Håvard Haugstvedt, one of the researchers behind the study. Many people cut off contact. Many people also say that they would like to help if they are worried that a friend is becoming radicalised. For example, looking for information online, or asking for advice from family and friends. Researcher Håvard Haugstvedt has researched what young people think about extremism in Norway today. Photo: UIS There is still a difference in which agencies the young people are willing to talk to. – It is most likely about different experiences. It shows that this is not a problem that one actor can work on alone, says Haugstvedt. At the same time, many also say that they want to withdraw from the person they are worried about. Haugstvedt fully understands that. – But from a societal perspective, it is unfortunate. Then we cannot take part in correcting the course, because it is those close to us who have the most influence, he says. Few will defend violence A few are also willing to defend the use of violence to gain attention to an issue or create changes in society. 3.7 percent say they are “to a large extent” willing to defend the use of violence, while 1.8 percent are willing to a “very large extent”. About the study 2588 people have responded to the survey which is the basis for the study, the vast majority between 16 and 18 years of age. Almost all of the respondents are in upper secondary school or vocational training. The study was carried out by Håvard Haugstvedt and Tore Bjørgo at the Center for Extremism Research (C-REX) at the University of Oslo. People from all over the country have responded, but more than half are from Eastern Norway. Among these, there are some groups that are overrepresented. Including boys, people with parents born outside Norway, Muslims and those who generally have lower trust in others. What also seems to matter for the willingness to defend the use of violence is whether one has learned about democracy and critical thinking at school. – It looks as if it has a small effect, says Haugsvedt. He is nevertheless clear that this needs to be researched more over time before it can be established how much it has to say. Most worried about right-wing extremism Young people are also more worried about right-wing extremism than both Islamist extremism and left-wing extremism. – It may help to explain it, that Norway has had two serious terrorist attacks motivated by that type of ideology in the last ten years, says Haugstvedt. He refers to the attacks on Utøya and in Oslo on 22 July 2011 and the attack on the Al-Noor mosque in Bærum in 2019. Both terrorist attacks were carried out by people with right-wing extremist ideology. At the same time, young people are most worried about serious violence against Muslims and homosexuals or trans people in the future.
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New report on extremism and youth shows great need for information – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
