Families Torn Apart as Older Relatives Drift to the Far Right Online
Graham never imagined his mother would become a political extremist. A retired woman in her 60s, she once showed little interest in politics, but during the Covid pandemic, everything changed. He recalls a phone call where she suddenly listed conspiracy theories, marking the start of a disturbing transformation. Now, she supports hard-right figures like Tommy Robinson with fervor, claims Keir Starmer is a communist, and believes Covid was a hoax, spending hours on social media and YouTube.
"I feel like I'm losing her," Graham says, describing how conversations quickly turn to inflammatory topics, forcing him to leave visits early. His story is not unique; across the UK, families are grappling with older relatives shifting sharply to the right, driven by online content and misinformation.
The Rise of Online Radicalization Among Older Generations
While radicalization in youth has long been a focus, less attention has been paid to boomers, aged 60 to 80, who are increasingly active online. Ofcom found Britons over 65 spend over three hours daily online, with Facebook as the primary platform for 75% of social media users in this age group. Sara Wilford, a computer ethics expert, notes that "nostalgia porn"—AI-generated clips idealizing past decades—often serves as a gateway to more extreme content.
Wilford explains that older users, not being digital natives, may not recognize their vulnerability to misinformation. "They're blithely pottering along, not factchecking anything," she says, highlighting how local forums and apps can expose them to right-wing rhetoric. This spiral can lead to dark places, with Facebook and X making extremist ideas accessible to a wider, older demographic.
Family Rifts and Emotional Fallout
The political drift is tearing families apart. Nadine, in her 40s, describes her parents' fixation on immigration, leading to tense visits. Sarah, a Reform voter, saw her relationship with her daughter nearly break over Brexit. Andy, an academic, says his parents' views have created a "self-reinforcing cycle of ignorance", culminating in a physical threat during an argument.
Alison recounts her brother's explosive anger at a wedding when she questioned his Reform support. "It was really upsetting," she says, noting that education gaps and misdirected rage complicate reconciliation. For many, like an American reader, duty is the only thread maintaining contact with relatives who have become "unrecognizable" due to far-right beliefs.
Broader Trends and Psychological Insights
Polls show a growing generation gap, with older cohorts moving rightward while millennials resist. Joshua Coleman, a psychologist, notes that political differences are increasingly seen as value signifiers, justifying estrangement. In the US, 18% cite politics as a reason for cutting ties, reflecting a trend where younger people view distancing as virtuous.
Tracey Laszloffy, a family therapist, observes unprecedented divisiveness, often rooted in old resentments. She advises focusing on underlying issues rather than political debates. Janet Reibstein suggests setting boundaries and retreating to common ground, though this is challenging in a polarized climate.
Seeking Solutions Amidst the Divide
Some families find ways to cope. Sarah and her daughter avoid political topics to preserve their relationship. Graham has stopped engaging with his mother's conspiracies, hoping to maintain ties while recognizing her isolation. Wilford's research project, Smidge, aims to address extremism in middle age, producing films like "A Family Tea" to highlight the impact on families.
Despite efforts, the emotional toll is heavy. Graham admits, "I don't know what her political beliefs would be if she could be healed from this." As online radicalization continues, families struggle to balance love with the pain of ideological divides, seeking hope in a landscape where prejudice has become normalized.
