Hello, my name is Miss Wroth.

Today, we're going to be looking at the lesson called "Online Groups and Radicalization." This fits into the lesson unit "Our Online Lives: How Can I Stay in Control Online?" Now, in this lesson, we are going to be learning and talking about themes that require adult supervision.

This means you must have an adult with you before you continue watching the video.

Today's lesson outcome is: "I can explain what incel ideology is and identify the dangers associated with it and describe strategies to protect myself and others from radicalization." Let's begin by taking a look at our ground rules together.

Laura says we should listen to others.

"It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, challenge the statement and not the person." And Andeep says we should respect privacy.

This means we can discuss examples, but we mustn't use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

Izzy says, "Choose your level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join discussion.

We must never put anyone on the spot." And Jacob says, "No judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged." All of these ground rules are here to keep everyone safe throughout the lesson.

Here are some of today's keywords.

We have "incel," "misogyny," and "radicalization." An incel means a person who self-identifies as an involuntary celibate and believes that they are unable to form romantic or sexual relationships, often blaming women for this.

Misogyny means hatred or prejudice against women, often shown through negative beliefs or actions.

And radicalization means the process by which someone comes to adopt extreme political, social, or religious views.

And the final keyword for this lesson is grooming.

Grooming is when an adult builds trust with a young person to manipulate them for harmful purposes, often leading to abuse or exploitation.

Keep an eye out for these keywords, as they are going to pop up throughout today's lesson.

Here is the lesson's outline, and we are going to begin with: What are incels and their dangers? Incel stands for "involuntary celibate." Typically, incels are men who express frustration and resentment about their lack of romantic or sexual relationships.

The term "celibate" means a person who chooses not to have sexual relationships, often for religious or personal reasons.

However, in the context of incel, the term is used differently.

Incels claim their celibacy is involuntary rather than a personal choice.

Common beliefs of incels are entitlement to relationships, blaming women and girls for their lack of sexual or romantic relationships, hostility towards gender equality, and incels use coded language and memes to communicate their beliefs and identify others who share their views.

This allows them to spread harmful ideas whilst appearing less obviously threatening to outsiders.

These include the terms: "Stacey," viewed by incels as the ideal attractive woman who ignores incels.

"Chad," portrayed as the confident, successful man who easily attracts women.

And "Becky," seen as the average woman who desires but can't attain the lifestyle of Stacey.

Incels also use pill terminology and metaphors.

They do this because they believe they are revealing hidden truths about society, similar to the pills used in the film "The Matrix" that showed the main character reality versus illusion.

This language makes their harmful beliefs seem like special knowledge that only they understand.

The red pill represents the belief that society hides the truth that women have all the power in relationships.

And the blue pill is used to describe people who accept mainstream ideas about gender and relationships.

The black pill represents extreme hopelessness.

Incels think that their looks or genetics doom them to a life without love or acceptance and that nothing will change that.

Time for a check for understanding.

Which of the following are common beliefs for incels? Is it, A, entitlement to relationships? B, blaming women and girls? Or C, accepting of gender equality? Hmm.

Which of the following are common beliefs for incels? Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Well done if you said A and B.

Entitlement to relationships and blaming women and girls are common beliefs for incels.

Incel ideology has been linked to multiple incidents of violence, including attacks motivated by misogynistic beliefs.

These incidents demonstrate how online hatred can translate into real-world harm, affecting not just the individuals that are involved, but entire communities.

People who follow incel ideologies may experience severe emotional and psychological distress, such as loneliness, depression, and despair.

Dr.

Elsie says, "People who've experienced incel-related violence or harassment can feel scared or upset for a very long time.

It's important that they get support to help them recover." Time for a check for understanding.

True or false? Incel ideology has been linked to multiple incidents of real-world violence.

Is this statement true or false? Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Well done if you said true.

Time for a task now.

We are going to read the example forum post together, and then I would like you to annotate where you see signs of harmful thinking or language.

The example forum post says, "No one wants someone like me.

Girls always go for the Chads who treat them badly.

I've tried being nice, but it never works.

Maybe being angry at girls is the only option I have left." So your task is to annotate where you see signs of harmful thinking or language.

Pause this video so you can have some time to do the task, and then we will go through the answers together.

Okay, well done for having a go.

So you might have annotated that first sentence that says, "No one wants someone like me." That might suggest that this person is feeling rejected.

They use language of incels, such as "Chad," in their second statement.

And finally, you might have annotated the last statement that says, "Maybe being angry at girls is the only option I have left," which suggests that this person has an increasing sense of anger and misogyny.

We are now going to move onto the second part of this lesson: How can we spot grooming and radicalization? People with incel beliefs often don't work alone.

They actively try to recruit others, particularly young people who might be feeling isolated or rejected.

Online grooming may involve manipulating trust online to influence someone towards harmful or extremist views.

Those who carry out online grooming often target vulnerabilities, offering false friendship or validation.

Those who engage in online grooming exploit people's insecurities.

They make use of platforms such as online forums, social media, and messaging apps.

They often use flattery, offer gifts, and try to isolate the person being groomed from their friends and family.

Police Officer Kofi says, "Anyone can be groomed or radicalised online, regardless of their background, intelligence, social status, or family situation.

Radicalization often targets normal human emotions and experiences such as feeling left out, disappointed, or going through difficult times, which makes it something that could potentially affect anyone." Police Officer Kofi says, "If you ever feel worried or unsure about something you've seen or experienced online, talk to someone you trust.

We're never alone, and the police are always here to help." Time for a check for understanding.

True or false? Only certain groups of people can be groomed online.

Is this statement true or false? Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, well done if you said false.

So this statement is false because anyone, no matter their background or age, can be targeted by people trying to groom or radicalise others online.

Police Officer Kofi says, "Those who engage in online grooming and radicalization use specific tactics to influence their targets.

These tactics work because they prey on normal human needs for belonging, understanding, and validation.

Understanding these methods can help you recognise when someone might be trying to manipulate you or someone you know.

Common manipulation tactics include love bombing, which means showering someone with excessive attention, compliments, and support to make them feel special and valued.

It also includes creating an us-versus-them mentality, convincing someone that only certain people understand them, whilst everyone else, such as family, friends, and society, is against them.

Gradual escalation, this means slowly introducing more extreme ideas over time so the person doesn't notice how far their thinking has shifted.

Exploiting vulnerabilities, that means targeting people during difficult times in their lives.

And offering simple solutions.

So presenting complex social problems as having easy answers, usually involving blaming a particular group.

Signs that someone is being radicalised online include: withdrawing from their family, friends, and activities; expressing extreme or hostile views; using coded language or referring to extremist ideas; spending increasing amounts of time in specific online communities or forums; and becoming defensive or secretive about their online activities and conversations.

Time for a check for understanding.

Which of the following are signs someone is being radicalised online? Is it A, they've started spending less time online? B, they are expressing extreme or hostile views? Or C, they're spending more time with family? Hmm.

Which of the following are signs someone is being radicalised online? Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, well done if you said B, they are expressing extreme or hostile views.

Time for a task now.

We're going to read the fictionalised online chat between Liam and Anon13.

Then I would like you to discuss with your partner what grooming and radicalization tactics are being used.

So Liam says, "I don't get why girls never go for me.

I'm always respectful." Anon13 says, "That's because the world is rigged.

Women only care about looks and money.

You're finally seeing the truth." Liam says, "I'm sick of it." Anon13 says, "That's the black pill.

You don't need fake friends.

Stick with us." So your task is to discuss with your partner what grooming and radicalization tactics are being used.

Pause this video so you can have some time to do the task, and then we will go through the answers together.

Okay, well done for having a go.

Your answer might have included the following ideas: Anon13 tries to isolate Liam by saying his friends don't understand him.

They introduce extreme ideas like the black pill and claim to offer truth and support.

They're exploiting Liam's frustration and making him feel part of a group.

These are typical manipulation tactics used in online grooming.

Well done if your answer is similar to mine.

We're now going to move on to the third and the final part of the lesson: How can we stay safe from radicalization? Dr.

Elsie says, "Staying safe online isn't just about spotting danger; it's also about looking after yourself every day.

That means building strong, respectful relationships, spending time with other people, taking care of your mental health, and developing critical thinking skills and online resilience.

This doesn't mean avoiding the internet; it means approaching it thoughtfully." Building online resilience includes: diversifying your social connections.

Maintain friendships both online and offline, and don't rely on just one group or community for all your social needs.

Develop critical thinking skills.

Ask yourself, "Who benefits from this message? What evidence supports these claims? And are there any other perspectives that I should consider?" Recognising your emotional triggers: Understand what makes you feel vulnerable.

It could be stress, loneliness, rejection, and be extra cautious about new online relationships during these times.

And practise digital wellness.

That means taking regular breaks from social media and forums, especially if they're making you feel angry or isolated.

Okay, time for a check for understanding.

What is missing from the list of ways we can build online resilience? So far on the list, we've got diversity in your social connections and recognising your emotional triggers.

So what else could be on that list in terms of the ways that we can build online resilience? Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, well done if you remembered developing critical thinking skills and practising digital wellness.

Okay, we're going to read a case study together.

It's all about Ethan.

So Ethan is 16 and enjoys online gaming and chatting in online forums. Recently, he's become quieter and started repeating negative things he has read online, including misogynistic comments.

A new online friend has been telling him that women are the reason for his problems. Ethan's GP, Dr.

Elsie, has noticed he's withdrawn and seems upset during appointments.

Ethan explains some of what has been going on.

Dr.

Elsie advises speaking to a trusted adult when friends or online strangers influence your emotions negatively.

She says: "If someone is trying to isolate you from friends and family or encourage hatred towards any group of people, it's a red flag that they may be trying to radicalise you.

Always report it and speak to a trusted adult, like a parent or carer, teacher, or police officer." She continues to say that "Your mental health and well-being are important.

If someone online is consistently making you feel angry, hopeless, pressured, or like you need to hide your conversations from family and friends, these are all warning signs that the relationship may not be healthy.

Speaking to someone you trust about what is happening isn't betraying a confidence; it's protecting yourself.

You could also call confidential support lines like Childline, a free service for anyone under the age of 19." Following the appointment, Ethan takes the following actions.

He blocks and reports the individual using the online platform's inbuilt safety tool.

He talks to another one of his trusted adults, his dad.

And he calls Childline for confidential advice.

Time for a check for understanding.

True or false? Ethan is 16 and is therefore too old to call Childline for confidential advice.

Is this statement true or false? Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, well done if you said that this statement is false.

This statement is false because Childline is a free, confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK.

Sometimes you might notice that someone you care about is showing signs of being influenced by harmful online content or communities.

This can be worrying, but there are constructive ways to help.

Don't try to handle it alone: speak to a trusted adult if you are genuinely worried about someone's safety or well-being.

Listen without judgement.

Try to understand what they're going through rather than immediately arguing against their views.

And ask open questions.

Help them think critically by asking things like, "What makes you think that?" or "Have you considered other viewpoints?" Encourage offline activities.

That means suggesting spending time together away from screens or engaging in hobbies, sports, or other interests that you might share together.

Report instances of abuse.

Online manipulation can be a criminal offence; the online platform and the police are there to help.

Warning signs that require immediate adult intervention include talking about violence or harming others, withdrawing from family and friends, expressing extreme hopelessness, and sharing or creating threatening content online.

It's important to understand that you're not responsible for fixing someone who's being radicalised.

That's a job for trained professionals.

Your role is to be a caring friend and alert trusted adults who can provide proper support.

Time for a check for understanding.

Name three constructive ways to help someone who is showing signs of being influenced by harmful online content or communities.

Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, well done for having a go.

You might have said listen without judgement , ask open questions, speak to a trusted adult, encourage offline activities, and report instances of abuse.

Time for a task now.

What advice would you give Ethan based on his situation? So you might want to read the case study again and then answer that question.

So, what advice would you give to Ethan based on his situation? Pause this video so you can have some time to do the task, and then we will go through the answers together.

Okay, well done for having a go.

Your answer might have looked like this: "I would tell Ethan to talk to a member of school staff or a parent and carer about what's happening online.

I would explain that the messages he's receiving are manipulative and designed to make him feel isolated and angry, which are typical tactics used in online grooming and radicalization.

He should block and report the person immediately using the platform's safety tools.

A trusted adult, like his GP, could support his well-being whilst the police could investigate the person who has been targeting him with these harmful messages.

Well done if your answer is similar to mine.

That brings us to the end of our lesson, and here is a summary of everything that we've covered in today's lesson.

Incel stands for "involuntary celibate" and is often linked to online misogyny and harmful ideology.

People with incel beliefs often actively try to recruit others, particularly young people who might be feeling isolated or rejected.

They may use grooming tactics, including starting with false friendship and emotional manipulation, to isolate individuals.

Incel forums can promote radicalization by encouraging misogyny, hate, and extreme beliefs.

They may use coded messages, memes, and metaphors to spread harmful views.

Stay safe.

Trust your instincts, report abuse, and talk to trusted adults like a GP, teacher, or the police.

Here is a slide with different places that you can get support.

We have the Childline, which is a website and phone line which is able to offer confidential advice and support.

We have the CEOP.

The CEOP helps protect children from online abuse and exploitation.