Childhood innocence?: mapping trends in teenage terrorism offenders

Recent years have seen a sharp rise in cases of “homegrown” teenage attack-plotters, self-initiated travellers to terrorist-held territory, and bedroom propagandists. The consequences of minors’ involvement in terrorism raises important questions regarding the nature of extremist engagement and the risk posed by young people.Through a unique dataset of minors convicted of terrorism offences in the United Kingdom between 2016 and 2023, this research maps trends in minors’ ideological affiliations; offences, pleas, and sentences; and social circumstances and networks. These cases provide vital insight into the roles played by young people in extremist ecosystems and their radicalisation pathways. In an era of rising extremist youth activism, greater understanding and better response planning should be a priority for counter-terrorism scholars and practitioners