International Conference 'The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe'

We are pleased to announce our international conference “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe,” which will take place on 29 January 2026 at the NH Brussels EU Berlaymont, Bd Charlemagne 11/19, Brussels.

The conference will bring together policymakers, journalists, security experts, researchers, and digital platform representatives to discuss online extremism, its societal implications, and its specific impact on middle-aged users. The programme will explore cultural, technological, and psychological dimensions of online engagement in this demographic and provide space for exchange with other EU-funded initiatives tackling extremism, disinformation, and social cohesion. A further objective is to develop concrete policy insights and practical recommendations that can inform future interventions and institutional responses.

Panel I: Presentation of Project Findings will highlight key research insights on the digital behaviours of middle-aged adults, including how extremist narratives circulate through social media, messaging apps, and online communities. The findings also examine how misinformation, polarising content, and identity-based narratives affect this often-overlooked demographic, providing evidence to guide targeted interventions.

Panel II: Media and Cultural Perspectives on Online Extremism will explore how media narratives, visual storytelling, and cultural content can both reinforce and counter extremist ideologies, including a documentary screening. Panel III: Common Challenges and Best Practices from Related Projects offers an opportunity to exchange lessons learned and promising approaches across EU-funded initiatives. Panel IV: Policy Discussion – From Evidence to Action brings together policymakers, platform representatives, and practitioners to translate research insights into actionable strategies for countering online harms.

The conference aims to provide participants with actionable insights into the dynamics of online extremism among middle-aged adults and to explore effective strategies for prevention, resilience, and intervention. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the patterns of online engagement and susceptibility to misinformation in this demographic, exchange knowledge and best practices across sectors, and develop concrete recommendations to inform policy, platform governance, media literacy initiatives, and community-based interventions. By fostering dialogue between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and platform representatives, the event seeks to strengthen collaboration and support evidence-based, practical approaches to countering online extremism and promoting digital resilience.

For inquiries about the conference, please contact: m.busra@inclusiveeuropa.eu.