80% of US accelerationist events in 2026 involve child exploitation—a new phenomenon since 2021. PERIL's Michael Jensen tracks how platforms like Roblox and Discord became radicalization pipelines. bit.ly/4e2g6pw
“You might be decreasing the likelihood of a violent outcome in the future, but you’re also just helping that person thrive.” PERIL's William Braniff on the lab's new AU course teaching the next generation of extremism prevention practitioners. bit.ly/4tzpfe7
Last week PERIL, Bedrock & the Eisenhower Foundation gathered to discuss evidence-based policy for a multicultural and economically just democracy. If you missed it or want to stay connected to this work, sign up for PERIL's newsletter. bit.ly/3ONsmzY
As Title IX enforcement weakens, early intervention matters more than ever. PERIL & SPLC's "Not Just a Joke" helps schools recognize how gender-based harassment escalates—and how to stop it before it does.
Fringe platforms still have many millions of users, so it is concerning that 4.4% of all posts PERIL analyzed contained at least one antisemitic term. New research maps the narratives, the rhetoric, and the intersections. bit.ly/4tcMuuf
Parents & Caregivers Guide to Online Radicalization – supports adults in recognizing and responding to online radicalization
Prevention works - and we all have a role to play. 🔗 bit.ly/4cdv5vC
If you're interested in taking action, PERIL offers practical, evidence-based resources:
DUCC – K-12 curriculum that builds critical thinking, digital literacy, and resilience
"Not Just a Joke" – helps identify how humor and memes can normalize harm 🔗 bit.ly/4838y24
There's no single solution, but prevention is possible.
It takes investment, coordination, and sustained effort across communities, policymakers, and platforms. But it's within our power.
Reducing online harms, especially those impacting our youth, means meeting the complexity of the challenge with equally comprehensive solutions.
More work lies ahead, but efforts like these are important steps in the right direction.
A public health-informed, prevention-focused approach requires holistic solutions, because online and offline risks don't exist in isolation.
Violence prevention should be as common as flu prevention.
And prevention isn't just for policymakers – it's something all of us can do.
We can help by:
Promoting digital & media literacy
Teaching how to recognize manipulation tactics
Spotting early warning signs and responding
Using tools, resources, and support systems
and individual safety and wellbeing is centered through consumer protection frameworks.
These approaches help reduce harm while strengthening rights.
In Illinois, SB 3264, the Online Safety Act, reflects important steps in this direction by ensuring there are easily accessible safety resources in platforms, minors are protected through design choices and defaults that limit manipulation, addictive features, and protect privacy,
We're seeing promising approaches that reflect this work in policy efforts to combat online harms, especially for youth.
Protects rights while improving safety – through nonpunitive means and protects individuals and the broader community
The work is about creating a safer future for everyone – especially our youth.
Is cost-effective and scalable – it addresses root problems, not symptoms resulting in replicable programs that work and savings down the line to invest back in communities
The violence prevention work that PERIL does matters because it:
Builds long-term resilience – it makes communities safer, stronger, and happier by mitigating and limiting harm before it occurs
These are real and common experiences—and they can increase vulnerability to harm.
That's why solutions must be comprehensive and reflect this reality.
The risk of harm doesn't come from a single factor. It's often shaped by overlapping challenges, like:
Social isolation or lack of belonging
Grievance or feelings of injustice
Confusion or uncertainty
Searching for identity or community
Today, young people are navigating online environments – and while many spaces are positive, there are also environments where manipulation and exploitation can occur at scale.
Build critical thinking skills and other techniques to resist manipulation
Intervene early, before harm escalates, and provide meaningful support
This is what violence prevention looks like.
How do we do that?
By using a public health approach that focuses on what puts people at risk – and what helps protect them.
Identify risk factors that increase vulnerability
Strengthen protective factors like belonging and trust
What does that mean?
It means preventing harm before it happens – like st
opping young people from being exploited, manipulated, or pulled toward hate, harassment, or violence.
Our core message: online harms can be prevented – and effective policy should address root causes, not just symptoms, by integrating a public health approach to preventing online harms.
Friday, PERIL testified in front of the Illinois Senate Executive Subcommittee on AI & Social Media on the topic of youth online safety.
The Man Up podcast was nominated for a Webby Award in Belonging & Inclusion 🏆 And there’s still time to vote for it in the People's Voice Award through April 16! Vote soon to show your support! bit.ly/4vck19j
PERIL's Dr. Pasha Dashtgard joins the Mindbridge Podcast alongside Braver Angels' Gabbi Kearns for a conversation on polarization, psychological resilience, and evidence-based approaches to bridging divides. bit.ly/4dU2Y5Z
13 trainings. 541 people equipped to recognize and respond to radicalization and polarization. And 2026 is just getting started. Interested in bringing PERIL's evidence-based training to your campus, organization, or agency? Reach out: periltrainings@american.edu
