The average age of those identified in the study was just over 16, with some participants younger than 14.
Experts said the group’s extreme youth makes it especially susceptible to radical narratives, as members often lack stable values and are still forming their worldviews.
The networks are almost exclusively male and, according to the report, show a striking readiness to engage in violence or terrorism.
The study also found that many of those drawn into the scene are socially isolated or neglected by their families. Some had been diagnosed with mental illnesses, while others showed signs of psychological distress—factors that researchers say increase vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
Authorities stressed that families, schools and social services play a critical role in early detection and prevention, warning that online radicalisation is increasingly blurring the line between extremist rhetoric and real-world attacks.