Don’t Be a Puppet: Pull Back the Curtain on Violent Extremism is an interactive website developed by the FBI. It’s aimed at teens about what the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation calls the devastating reality and deceptive messaging (especially through the internet and social media) of violent extremism.
Jonathan Cox, head of the OPA unit that created the website and developed the concept, says: “We want teens to apply their critical thinking skills to this issue just like they would to any subject in school. We’re saying, ‘Don’t be a puppet’ — in other words, don’t just blindly accept what violent extremists tell you or you could end up being controlled and manipulated by people who want you to hurt or kill innocent people.”
The FBI points to such incidents as the Charleston shootings and the Boston Marathon bombings that demonstrated that extremist violence transcends race and religion.
Section 1: What is Violent Extremism?
– Defines violent extremism and explores five of its key elements: blame, distorted principles, symbols, propaganda, and groupthink.
– Explains how violent extremists use their warped characteristics to manipulate, radicalize, or recruit others to embrace their ideologies.
Section 2: Why Do People Become Violent extremists?
– Examines the key reasons why people embrace violent extremism and its ideologically motivated grievances.
– Makes teens aware of the arguments violent extremists use to justify their actions as well as highlights unmet needs and personal problems that violent extremists might exploit in their recruitment efforts.
Section 3: What are Known Violent Extremist Groups?
– Provides an overview of several violent extremist groups—typically called international terrorist organizations—and key domestic violent extremism ideologies.
– Helps teens recognize and reject these organizations and their belief systems in case they are contacted or encounter violent propaganda on the Internet.
Section 4: How Do Violent Extremists Make Contact?
– Explores the various ways—such as social media, cell phones, and flyers—that violent extremists try to reach young people.
– Informs teens of the potential dangers of different online and offline communications channels and how these tools could be used for recruitment.
Section 5: Who Do Violent Extremists Affect?
– Features videos of survivors of violent extremism and hate crime, who share their personal stories on how they have been impacted.
– Gives teens insight into the very real pain, suffering, and losses caused by these acts of violence.
