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UNITED NATIONS, May 27-- To effectively curb terrorist attacks which have been on the rise, it is critical for countries to work out ways to prevent the online spread of violent extremism, said a UN official. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Chen Weixiong, deputy director of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, said that the Internet along with other communication technologies has become a major channel for terrorist groups to spread its violent extremist views. "With its propaganda of these ideas, the terrorist groups recruit and train terrorists via the Internet and social media," Chen noted. Violent extremism refers to the beliefs of people who support the use of violence to achieve radical goals. Chen said the process of being brainwashed by these ideas is covert and difficult to monitor. Therefore, he appealed that countries should take proactive measures to stop the violent extremism from spreading both online and offline. Earlier this week, the UN Security Council endorsed a document which demands more joint efforts to fight terrorist propaganda through educational and media programs. It also calls on youth, women and religious leaders to do their parts in the campaigns of fighting violent extremism and to promote dialogues and understanding among different groups in societies. Terrorism has become a grave threat to the international security. This week alone, the world has witnessed several terrorist attacks in United Kingdom, Egypt and Mali. | 
