Researchers are studying the type of information from terror organisations that go viral on the social media. The study is aimed at understanding how such information spread and the kind of people or groups that participate in the process.
The study, undertaken by researchers at Arizona State University, aims to “develop better tools to detect extremist networks promoting violence and block their online content”, local media reported.
“Terror groups like ISIS target those who feel alienated and marginalised within the society they live in. They rarely are able to recruit entire groups, especially in Western countries,” study leader Hasan Davulcu was quoted as saying.
Research shows that alienated individuals are more likely to fall prey to images than traditional forms of propaganda.
The study will focus primarily on information cascades, “wherein large numbers of individuals participate to spread information and opinions across the globe, often times producing significant changes in attitudes and behaviours”, Dr. Davulcu said.
Co-researcher Paulo Shakarian said, “The community structure matters in terms of the proliferation of information on social media. If a tweet can reach 50 individuals with diverse backgrounds, then it is more likely to spread.”
