Modern Russian youth: risks of radicalization (based on empirical research)

This article examines the impact of such destructive activities as religious and political extremism and terrorism on the processes of identity formation in young people aged 14 to 27 years. It is stated that due to their age and inherent psychological peculiarities they are the most active expressors of their civic position in today's society, as well as promptly and consciously respond to the processes occurring in the world around them, which in the context of growing challenges from extremism and terrorism increases the risk of the development of destructive behavior. The article represents the results of an empirical study of youth identity. Civic identity is concluded to play a key role in the self-determination and choice of life strategies of most young people. The risk group included those who identified themselves as a representative of a particular nationality or confession in the absence of other identities.