Social media platforms are increasingly being used by terrorist groups to radicalize individuals and coordinate attacks in the Indian subcontinent and beyond, as per a report by Eurasia Review. Recent incidents like the Red Fort attack on November 10, 2025, and the Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2025, illustrate how extremist networks exploit social media to incite violence and recruit vulnerable individuals.
The report emphasizes that terrorist organizations are manipulating individuals online through fake news, propaganda, and narrative warfare. It points out that modern terror groups are blending ideology with technology, leveraging digital tools to advance their agendas and recruit followers. Social media’s characteristics, such as being low-cost, fast, and globally connected, make it a potent tool for extremist groups to spread propaganda and mobilize attacks.
The study highlights the Islamic State’s role in leading online radicalization campaigns and expanding its ideological influence through digital propaganda networks. It mentions the increasing activity of extremist networks in South Asia, with IS extending its online presence to countries like India and Bangladesh. The report also mentions Pakistan-based terror groups utilizing social media for propaganda purposes and the rise of cyber-enabled terrorism in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
Governments in the region are responding with stricter regulations to counter online extremism. Countries like Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia have implemented laws to combat online radicalization. India, for instance, blocked nearly 9,845 URLs promoting radicalization and terrorist propaganda in 2025. The report stresses the importance of regional and global cooperation, stronger cybersecurity frameworks, and enhanced intelligence collaboration to address the escalating threat of digital radicalization and online terror networks.
