IT expert on violent extremist content online: difficult to regulate

Why moderation is hard

IT and security expert Leif Nixon says large platforms have mostly stepped back from policing content. The work is technically demanding and expensive, and in the United States it has turned into a political minefield, where any effort to shape online conversation is branded as censorship. Moderation has not disappeared entirely: automated tools can still flag illegal material, and human reviewers can handle user reports as a last resort.

Age limits miss the point

Nixon dismisses age limits for social media as too complicated to work in practice. He points to cases where people who carried out violent crimes had been in contact with violent extremist groups online, and to live footage of killings circulating in channels that children could reach. For him, the deeper problem is social: young people, often from tough backgrounds, discover online spaces where they feel welcomed and can build a sense of self-worth.

Shared responsibility and parental guidance

No single party deserves all the blame, Nixon argues. Parents need to look after their children, and society has to get better at spotting and helping young people at risk. His advice to parents is to stay engaged: keep talking, avoid leaving children alone in rooms with internet access, leave doors open and maintain some level of oversight. He doubts that bans will solve anything.

The upside of online life

Nixon also highlights what the internet does well. Being able to find friends and a community online is a lifeline for many young people, particularly those in small towns or who feel out of place. He is convinced it saves lives by helping isolated youth connect with others who share their experiences.