Radicalization, the internet and cybersecurity: Opportunities and challenges for HCI

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter in a published conference proceeding

4 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The idea that the internet may enable an individual to become radicalized has been of increasing concern over the last two decades. Indeed, the internet provides individuals with an opportunity to access vast amounts of information and to connect to new people and new groups. Together, these prospects may create a compelling argument that radicalization via the internet is plausible. So, is this really the case? Can viewing ‘radicalizing’ material and interacting with others online actually cause someone to subsequently commit violent and/or extremist acts? In this article, we discuss the potential role of the internet in radicalization and relate to how cybersecurity and certain HCI ‘affordances’ may support it. We focus on how the design of systems provides opportunities for extremist messages to spread and gain credence, and how an application of HCI and user-centered understanding of online behavior and cybersecurity might be used to counter extremist messages. By drawing upon existing research that may be used to further understand and address internet radicalization, we discuss some future research directions and associated challenges.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman Aspects of Information Security, Privacy and Trust - 5th International Conference, HAS 2017 Held as Part of HCI International 2017, Proceedings
EditorsT. Tryfonas
Place of PublicationGermany
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages481-493
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-58460-7
ISBN (Print)9783319584591
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event5th International Conference on Human Aspects of Information Security, Privacy and Trust, HAS 2017, held as part of 19th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI 2017 - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: 9 Jul 201714 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume10292

Conference

Conference5th International Conference on Human Aspects of Information Security, Privacy and Trust, HAS 2017, held as part of 19th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI 2017
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period9/07/1714/07/17

Keywords

  • Cyber security
  • Online behavior
  • Radicalization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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