Which Social Media Platforms Attract Extremists? Preliminary Findings From Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys in Germany, 2020–2023

Hohner, Julian ; Schulze, Heidi ; Greipl, Simon und Rieger, Diana (2025): Which Social Media Platforms Attract Extremists? Preliminary Findings From Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys in Germany, 2020–2023. 75th Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association, Denver, Colorado, USA, 12.-16. Juni 2025.

Abstract

This study examines which social media platforms attract extremists in Germany; using data from three survey waves (2020–2023) in a cross-platform; cross-ideology approach. Prior research focused on single platforms or ideologies; limiting insights into platform-based differences. By applying an affordance framework; this study analyzes how extremists use different social media platforms. The preliminary findings indicate that platforms like Telegram and TikTok are linked with far-right and Islamist attitudes; while platforms with stronger moderation policies; like Instagram; attract with less pronounced extreme attitudes. These results highlight how platform architecture and policies shape extremist engagement; offering insights into social media's role in radicalization.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
• Keywords: Konferenz ICA 2025
• Faculties: Social Sciences > Department of Communications and Media (IfKW)
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 380 Commerce, communications and transportation
• Language: English