Over the past two years, Spain has faced an unprecedented surge in the number of minors detained on suspicion of links to radical Islamist groups. Between January and the end of October 2024 alone, law enforcement officers detained 28 teenagers, one of whom was arrested outside the country—in Mexico. This figure is significantly higher than in previous years, when such cases were rare.
A recent operation in Melilla drew particular attention, where police arrested three brothers, including a minor. According to investigators, the older siblings actively involved the youngest in spreading extremist materials and even tried to recruit other teenagers through social media. Such schemes are becoming more common: young people are not only falling under influence, but are also starting to draw their peers into radical communities themselves.
Extremism Getting Younger: Alarming Signs
Analysts note that in recent years, radical movements in Spain have gotten noticeably younger. While teenagers used to be mostly passive participants, now they are increasingly taking the lead in the radicalization of others. In 2023, nearly 40% of those detained in radicalization cases were under 25, with minors making up a growing share.
Experts note that today’s teenagers quickly master digital platforms, where extremist groups actively recruit. Propaganda is increasingly targeting young people, using online gaming platforms and popular social networks. In some cases, even modified versions of well-known video games are used to involve teenagers, making the process almost invisible to parents and teachers.
Causes and Consequences: Why Teenagers Are Vulnerable
Although access to radical content online has become more difficult, teenagers still find ways to reach banned materials. Experts believe it’s not only the activity of extremist organizations at play, but also the initiative of the young people themselves, who sometimes adopt radical views on their own. In some cases, those detained had already started planning real crimes, as happened with a 16-year-old from Sevilla who was preparing an attack on his own school.
The problem of minors being drawn into extremist networks is becoming increasingly acute. According to experts, this trend has already taken root and may only intensify in the coming years. The exact reasons are still unclear, but it is evident that combating youth radicalization requires new strategies and greater attention from both society and the state.
