BRUSSELS — European security officials are raising concerns about a changing terrorism landscape, with young people increasingly being exposed to online communities that glorify violence and encourage real-world attacks.
Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks in the United States, jihadist groups continue to represent a significant security threat across Europe. However, officials are now focusing more attention on a different form of extremism known as nihilistic violent extremism, where violence can be motivated by notoriety, excitement or status rather than a clear political or religious ideology.
European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter said the emerging threat is particularly difficult to detect because many of those involved are young, have no previous criminal records and operate through encrypted online communities.
Online Networks Are Drawing Young People Toward Violence
Authorities have identified online communities where violent material is shared and young users can be encouraged to treat attacks as a way to gain recognition.
During a disruption operation in June and July, investigators from nine European countries identified approximately 4,340 web addresses connected to an online community known as “The COM.” Officials say the precise size and structure of the wider network remains uncertain.
Recent cases have highlighted how online fascination with violence can spill into the real world. In Finland in 2025, a 16-year-old boy allegedly attacked three female students with a knife. Authorities said he had shared a manifesto through WhatsApp groups and recorded the incident for distribution online.
Investigators said the teenager did not appear to have a political motive and instead described a desire to do something significant or exciting.
A separate case in Italy involved a 15-year-old who allegedly planned a killing in an effort to gain attention online. Authorities said his phone contained disturbing material involving violent crimes and school shootings.
European officials say incidents like these have increased over the past two to three years.
Terrorism Threat Remains Broader Than Online Extremism
The rise of nihilistic violent extremism does not mean traditional terrorist threats have disappeared.
According to Europol figures, 45 terrorist attacks were reported across 10 EU countries last year. Around half were prevented or unsuccessful, while six people were killed. Authorities also arrested 486 people suspected of links to terrorism across 21 EU member states.
Jihadist groups were linked to 24 of those attacks and accounted for more than 70% of the terrorism-related arrests.
One particularly concerning trend is the age of those being investigated. Around one-third of people arrested were younger than 18, with most of them boys.
Officials say the newer online-driven threat is harder to classify because some incidents may fall under ordinary criminal law rather than terrorism legislation. Europol therefore does not maintain a separate statistical category for nihilistic violent extremism.
Authorities are also monitoring networks such as 764, an online group associated with severe criminal activity and the exploitation of young people. European officials say some individuals connected to such networks have faced serious criminal allegations, including murder, rape and child sexual abuse.
AI Adds a New Challenge for European Security
Technology is making the problem even more complicated.
European authorities say criminals and extremists are increasingly using artificial intelligence and digital tools to produce propaganda, manipulate images and audio, create deepfakes and distribute extremist material. AI-powered bots can also help spread content and attract potential recruits.
Officials estimate that around 85% of investigations now involve a digital component, increasing pressure on European law enforcement agencies to improve their ability to investigate online activity.
At the same time, the debate over security and privacy continues. Privacy advocates argue that stronger surveillance powers could undermine people’s rights to communicate privately, while security officials say investigators need modern tools to respond to threats that increasingly develop online.
The EU’s counterterrorism leadership is calling for closer cooperation between governments, law enforcement agencies and technology companies. Officials argue that extremist content can spread rapidly across borders, meaning activity outside Europe can still have a direct impact on European security.
As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, European authorities say the terrorism threat has evolved dramatically. The challenge is no longer limited to large, structured organizations operating from abroad. Increasingly, violent ideas can spread online, reach young people and potentially turn into real-world attacks.
