The Radicalization of America's Youth: A Growing Concern

The Radicalization of America's Youth: A Growing Concern

There’s no denying that a portion of America’s youth has shifted politically right. But what’s particularly alarming is the rate at which young men, in particular, are gravitating toward extreme alt-right ideologies.

Former NFL player Chris Clewis, who gained attention after being arrested at Huntington Beach for a viral speech, has a strong take on the matter. He argues that the MAGA movement is, at its core, a Nazi movement—just with a red hat replacing the swastika. He points to big tech platforms as a major driver of this radicalization. Here's what he had to say:

"You can put Mark Zuckerberg in jail, break apart YouTube, and find the people responsible for the algorithms that are doing this. A lot of the radicalization is happening because these tech companies care more about making money than who they hurt to do it."

Clewis emphasizes that extremist content is financially lucrative, and these platforms feed impressionable minds down dangerous rabbit holes. What starts with harmless podcasts and social media clips can end with young people being drawn into hate-fueled communities like Stormfront.

In order to combat this, Clewis believes more voices need to speak out and be amplified—especially by those who hold power. Unfortunately, many with influence, including sports owners, have supported figures like Trump due to business interests, further fueling the cycle.

The question remains: How do we reach these young men and stop this dangerous trend before it goes any further?