Exploited for the Cause?: The Potential for a Cross-Harm Approach to Children’s Online Engagement in Terrorism

Abstract The traditional intersection of exploitation and terrorism lies within armed conflict, whereby individuals are subjected to physical abuses for financial, sexual or warring gains to a rebel movement. However, recently the language of exploitation victimization has gained momentum in the United Kingdom in relation to children’s digital recruitment and involvement in terrorist activity. This article applies an exploitation lens to the dynamics and purpose of children’s recruitment into terrorism. Through 30 interviews and two workshops with experts engaged in counter-terrorism, anti-exploitation and digital safety, it explores the parameters of what might constitute online child terrorist exploitation. The study identifies the challenges and consequences of recognizing cases of child victim-perpetrators, and the implications for effective cross-harm safeguarding and violence prevention.