Ep 165 - Digital Malevolence: The Dark Psychology Driving Online Extremism

A new and disturbing form of violent extremism is spreading across online communities, and unlike traditional extremist movements, it isn't necessarily driven by politics, religion or ideology. Instead, it's fuelled by manipulation, psychological exploitation, cruelty and the pursuit of notoriety.

In this episode of Security Insider, we speak with Dr Anne Speckhard, Director of the International Centre for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), about her latest research with Caroline Ewing into Digital Malevolence and the rise of Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE).

We examine how online networks exploit vulnerable young people through grooming, sextortion and coercive control, and how psychological traits associated with narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism and sadism can help explain these behaviours.

Most importantly, we explore what this emerging threat means for law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals, technology platforms, educators and parents — and how recognising dangerous behavioural patterns could help prevent online exploitation from escalating into real-world violence.

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