A/77/512 that neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups have taken advantage of new digital technologies and social platforms to promote their ideologies and arguments. Indeed, the Internet has made it easier for people to communicate, express their views and engage in debate across vast distances. The Internet has also provided groups espousing racial superiority and hatred with effective platforms for spreading their messages, organizing events and raising money. The anonymity provided by the Internet and social media allows people to express views that they would deny in public. Moreover, the interactivity of new social media platforms allows for the easier creation of virtual communities in which extremists can easily disseminate information to their target audiences. 51. The Internet, and social media in particular, has become a growing means through which neo-Nazi groups recruit followers. It is documented that hate groups such as these usually direct their recruitment efforts at targeting susceptible individuals, such as loners and children. Groups espousing racial superiority – including neo-Nazis – have increasingly targeted children and youth as recruits because they are typically more impressionable, may feel alone and marginal, and desire a sense of identity and group belonging. Some neo-Nazi websites are specifically tailored towards children, with the aim of indoctrinating them. Neo -Nazi websites appeal to children through music, activities, games, “memes” and cartoon characters. Indeed, even video games exist that are devoted to propagating i deologies of racial superiority and racial hatred. 52. In addition to recruitment, neo-Nazis and other hate groups also use digital platforms to incite hatred and violence on racial, ethnic, religious and related grounds. The ease and rapidity with which information can now be shared online, especially through social media platforms, means these platforms have now become arguably the most frequent sites of hate speech, and even incitement to violence. These platforms have facilitated the global transmission of harmful stereotypes against stigmatized groups targeted by groups such as neo-Nazis. Such stereotypes and related propaganda make violence against targeted groups more acceptable and arguably more likely. In addition, neo-Nazi and related groups have also relied on online platforms to plan and circulate information about public events that range from demonstrations to acts of violence, including targeting groups and individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation and related grounds. As outlined in the report of the Special Rapporteur to the seventy -fifth session of the General Assembly (A/75/329), the COVID-19 pandemic and its racialized harm, discussed further below, exacerbated these trends, as more of people’s everyday lives were played out online. D. Recruitment of young people by neo-Nazi groups 53. As outlined in the reports of the Special Rapporteur to the thirty-eighth and forty-first sessions of the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/38/53 and A/HRC/41/55), various forms of new technology are used to recruit individuals to neo-Nazi and associated ideologies. Such practices, as well as other recruitment techniques, can have a disproportionate impact on young people, particularly those in vulnerable social situations. 54. Research shows that the typical neo-Nazi or hate group follower is generally young, white and male. Religion, economic class, education and social status are also salient factors. It is important to note, however, that no meaningful psychological profile exists for predicting whether a person will have an inclination towards terrorism. Furthermore, research shows that no one is born with personality traits that define a person as inclined towards extremism or terrorism. Relevant socioenvironmental factors may include poverty; a lack of education and employment 22-22915 11/20