Introduction
Radical ideologies have long been peripheral to social and political movements, but digitalisation has revolutionised their means of dissemination and influence. The internet enables radical actors to bypass traditional gatekeepers, accessing mass audiences and building ideological communities that are transnational in reach. The Baltic States, with their complex history, ethnic composition, and geostrategic position between the West and Russia, are a particular interest case study of online radicalisation. While studies of radicalism have proliferated internationally, academic work specifically on the Baltics is rare and fragmented. This paper integrates recent literature to better understand how digital radicalisation works in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, discussing the mechanisms, key actors, and countermeasures discussed in academic and policy studies.
Digital platforms and radicalisation in the Baltic States
Literature on digital radicalisation suggests that digital platforms are accelerators of extremist discourse through three primary mechanisms:
1.Algorithmic Amplification – Research has shown that social media algorithms prefer engagement to accuracy, unintentionally amplifying radical content. Research has examined how Facebook, YouTube, and Telegram amplify far-right, ultra-nationalist, and even pro-Kremlin disinformation in the Baltic states.
2.Echo Chambers and Online Groups – The internet facilitates ideologically confirmatory contexts through the clustering of users into like-minded groups. Research demonstrates how online social media groups and forums in the Baltic States construct radical political identities, whether nationalist, far-right, or other extreme forms.
3.Transnational Influence and Hybrid Threats – As a result of the geopolitical weakness of the Baltic States, external powers—mainly Russia—have been found to be actively engaged in shaping radical online narratives.
Gaps in the literature and future research directions
Despite the growing body of research on digital extremism, gaps remain significant in the case of the Baltic States. Firstly, existing research has a tendency to focus on disinformation rather than the overall field of radicalisation processes. Secondly, there are few studies on the confrontation of local narratives of history with digital radical movements.
The online spread of radical ideologies in the Baltic States is shaped by a complex interplay of algorithmic processes, historical paths, and geo-political factors. While existing literature is helpful, more work must be done to gain an advanced understanding of the role of online radicalisation on regional security and social cohesion. Future studies should aim at interdisciplinary approaches to research, combining digital media studies, political science, and regional studies in an attempt to trace and counter the growing popularity of radical ideologies within the Baltic virtual sphere.
