Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, jihadist groups continue to pose a significant threat to European security. However, authorities are increasingly concerned about a new menace characterized by nihilistic violent extremism, largely driven by young individuals online who seek violent thrills.
The exact scale of this online community, known as “The COM,” remains unclear. In June and July, police investigators from nine European countries identified approximately 4,340 web addresses linked to the network. European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter described the phenomenon as "violence for the sake of violence," ahead of the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks.
Last year, 45 terrorist attacks were reported across 10 EU member states, none resulting in mass casualties. About half were thwarted, but six people died. Europol, the EU police agency, reported 486 arrests of individuals suspected of terror links in 21 member countries. Jihadist groups, often influenced by networks outside Europe, were responsible for 24 of these attacks and more than 70% of the arrests. Notably, around one-third of those arrested were under 18, predominantly boys.
Europol does not maintain specific statistics for nihilistic violent extremism due to differing definitions and the potential overlap with ordinary criminality. However, incidents illustrate the trend. In Finland in 2025, a 16-year-old boy allegedly shared a manifesto on WhatsApp groups before stabbing three female student colleagues. He reportedly recorded the attack on Snapchat and sought to share the video online.
Wegter stated that these acts stem from a "fascination with violence" and are used as a means of self-assertion and status within online communities, often lacking a direct ideological link. In Italy last year, a 15-year-old boy was apprehended for planning a murder to gain online notoriety, and his smartphone contained images and videos of violent acts.
These incidents, which have been increasing for two to three years, are reportedly organized by online networks, "often driven by young people, for young people often involving young boys," Wegter said. They can lead to offline violence, including stabbings, which appear motiveless.
Preventing and tracking such activities is challenging, as they often involve young individuals with no prior criminal record, leaving minimal offline traces. Online activities are frequently conducted within encrypted communities.
Authorities are monitoring groups like 764, founded by Bradley Cadenhead, who is serving an 80-year sentence for sex offenses. In Germany last year, a suspected 764 member faced numerous charges for acts of extreme brutality, including murder and sexual abuse of children.
In contrast to the past, when extremist groups trained operatives for physical attacks, the current threat landscape is largely shaped by online organization. Wegter characterized the online environment as "too permissive" and a "petri dish for the connection between different threats."
While privacy advocates emphasize the right to private communication and caution against increased surveillance, Wegter stressed the need for law enforcement to be equipped with appropriate digital tools, noting that 85% of investigations occur in the digital realm. He also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, as activities outside European borders, particularly online amplification, impact domestic security.
Europol reports that criminals are using AI tools, including deepfakes, memes, and GIFs, to create and disseminate propaganda. AI-powered bots are employed for recruitment and promoting extremist ideologies, while AI-driven applications are used for attack planning and research. Wegter added that AI significantly amplifies violent content, incitement, propaganda, and tactical information.