Lithuania sees rise in nihilistic extremism among youth, authorities warn parents

Lithuania’s State Security Department (VSD) has warned of a growing trend of nihilistic extremism among minors, urging parents, guardians, and educators to monitor children’s online activity, LRT reports.

The VSD states that in recent years, there has been an increasing involvement of young people in nihilistic extremist ideology, which promotes violence and criminal activity. Some researchers have described the phenomenon as an epidemic, with the department noting that the spread of such extremism is now being observed in Lithuania.

“If the radicalisation process is not stopped in time, it can cause irreparable harm both to those influenced by nihilistic extremist ideology and to their victims,” the VSD said in a statement.

According to the agency, nihilism is linked to negativism, pessimism, and scepticism, with adherents believing that human existence has no objective meaning, purpose, or value. Nihilistic extremism is spreading among young people through popular social networks and online gaming platforms such as Roblox and World of Tanks.

Recruiters use memes, short videos, and computer games to draw minors into extremist ideology, presenting involvement in nihilistic extremist networks as a way to self-actualise, gain attention, or join a higher social group.

The VSD reports that those involved in such networks commit crimes both online and in reality. Online, they target vulnerable minors with personal or mental health issues or those who are socially isolated. Extremists initially feign moral support to gain trust, then coerce victims—often through threats to publish sensitive material—into self-harm, violence against others or animals, or even suicide. These acts are frequently recorded or photographed.

In the physical world, individuals linked to nihilistic extremist networks often begin with minor offences such as graffiti or vandalism before escalating to violent attacks against younger teens, the homeless, those dependent on alcohol or drugs, and representatives of racial, ethnic, or religious minorities. Many of these crimes are filmed and shared on social media.

The VSD highlights that some of the most popular nihilistic extremist networks include “764”, “Maniac Murder Cult” (also known by its Russian name “Маньяки: культ убийства”), “No Lives Matter”, and “True Crime Community”. Dozens of other groups exist, often mimicking the names of the most well-known networks, such as using numbers or the word “cult” in their titles.

These groups share content that can severely harm young people, including child pornography, extreme violent material (such as murders, terrorist acts, and torture of humans and animals), instructions for manufacturing weapons, explosives, and poisons, as well as methods used by serial killers and terrorists. The groups also disseminate material promoting far-right extremism, Satanism, and occult practices.

The VSD lists potential signs that a minor may be involved in extremist activities, including social self-isolation, sudden and irrational mood swings, and changes in behaviour.