Terrorism Facts for Kids

September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Center

Terrorism is when people or groups use violence against regular citizens to achieve political or ideological goals. Modern terrorism uses various methods to reach political aims. It often uses fear as a powerful tool to influence leaders. Terrorists might attack busy public places like train stations, airports, shopping malls, or tourist spots. Terrorist attacks are often planned to create maximum fear and get a lot of attention. They most often use explosives. People who do these acts are called terrorists.

A state can support terrorism by giving money to or protecting a terrorist group. For example, Iran has provided funds, training, and weapons to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

Since the September 11 attacks, religious extremism has become a major reason for terrorist attacks worldwide. Deaths from these attacks have increased significantly.

History
Why Defining Terrorism Is Difficult
Why Do People Use Terrorism?
How to Fight Terrorism
Interesting Facts about Terrorism
Infographics
See also

History

The words "terrorist" and "terrorism" first appeared during the French Revolution in the late 1700s. They became widely known around the world in the 1970s. This was during conflicts like the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the Basque conflict, and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The use of suicide attacks grew from the 1980s. A major example was the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001. Between 2000 and 2014, a database recorded over 61,000 incidents of terrorism by non-government groups. These attacks caused at least 140,000 deaths.

Why Defining Terrorism Is Difficult

There is no single definition of terrorism that everyone agrees on. Different governments and organizations use their own definitions. For example, in the United States, terrorism is defined as acts meant to scare civilians, influence government policy through force, or cause mass destruction.

Why Do People Use Terrorism?

This is a very complex question, and there's no simple answer. Individuals and groups might choose terrorism as a tactic for several reasons:

To directly force a government to agree to their demands.
To scare people into giving in to demands to avoid future harm.
To get attention and support for their cause.
To make more people join their cause through violent acts.

Many personal and social factors can influence someone to join a terrorist group. These include:

Their identity, such as their culture, ethnicity, or religion.
Having experienced violence before.
Getting money for their actions.
Mental illness or feeling alone.
Believing their cause is a response to a deep injustice.

It's crucial to remember that no matter what someone's beliefs or frustrations are, using fear and violence against innocent people is never acceptable or justified. It goes against the fundamental principles of human kindness, respect, and the right to live safely.

Specific political or social causes that motivate terrorism include:

Movements seeking independence or separation.
Movements wanting to unite with a neighboring country.
Wanting a specific political system, like socialism or anarchism.
Protecting the environment (eco-terrorism).
Believing one group is superior to others.
- Preventing a rival group from living in a certain area.
- Controlling a specific population.
Spreading or making one religion dominant (religious terrorism).
Ending what they see as government oppression.
Responding to a violent act with another violent act.

How to Fight Terrorism

Sign notifying shoppers of increased surveillance due to a perceived increased risk of terrorism

Responses to terrorism are wide-ranging. They can involve changes in politics and how people view basic values.

Specific ways to fight terrorism include:

New laws, criminal procedures, and stronger police powers.
Making targets harder to attack, like locking doors or adding barriers.
Military action, either before an attack or after.
More intelligence gathering and surveillance.
Helping people in need to prevent radicalization.

Interesting Facts about Terrorism

Terrorism is most common in countries with some political freedom, but not full democracies. It is least common in the most democratic nations.
Most terrorist attacks are carried out by men aged 16 to 40.
One of the first groups to use modern terror methods was the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Founded in 1858, this group fought for Irish independence.
Another early group was Narodnaya Volya in Russia, formed in 1878. They were among the first to widely use dynamite.
Some of the most active terrorist groups since 2001 include Boko Haram, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIL. These groups have been most active in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria.