Terrorist groups use social media to radicalize individuals

There’s no doubt that terror organizations are using the power of social media to radicalize individuals, and reining them in is the biggest challenge for agencies entrusted to combat terrorism.

In the past, terrorist groups didn’t have the social media at its disposal, so they would spend months or years radicalizing individuals. The internet has reduced that timeline to days or weeks, and no group is better at it than Islamic State, Michael Steinbach, executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch told a Senate panel on Wednesday, in Washington.

The sheer volume of internet communication is the biggest hurdle in monitoring terror activities online, and coupled with the ability to shield one’s identity through encryption, makes it even more difficult for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to find so-called lone wolfs who are rapidly radicalized.

Most terrorist plots uncovered by law enforcement agencies in the US in 2015 were inspired or enabled by terrorist groups, rather than directed by them, Steinbach said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation currently is investigating about 1,000 terrorism-related cases in the US, most of which involve some level of radicalization over the internet.

"In the world that we live in today, the threat starts online in many cases," Steinbach said.

“The digital world knows no bounds," Steinbach said. "It’s up to us to sort through the noise and identify those signals that are most concerning.”

Now, US officials and lawmakers are seeking fresh approaches to counter terrorist propaganda online and quickly identify plots, especially after the shooting last month in Orlando, Florida.

US also have a Global Engagement Center, which works with American and international groups to counter terrorist messaging. The Homeland Security Department also announced Wednesday that $10 million in grants would be made available to state and local programs for that purpose.