Abstract
Extremism has an antilegal nature, that is, it denies consensus ways of solving social problems, giving preference to violent methods and methods of achieving various goals, in particular political ones. The spread of radical, intolerant leadership among young people and attempts to involve young people in extremist activities are especially dangerous. The novelty of the research is determined by the fact that the socio-psychological characteristics inherent in a young person, his superficial and uncritical perception of social life, determine his appeal to protest-activist methods of increasing his social status and role in public life, which are mostly spontaneous, spontaneous. The authors show that the affective, heightened emotional reactions of young people to social events are based not only on the intrapersonal but also on the irrational element. The propensity for extremist forms of political participation is determined both by the individual psychological characteristics of a young person and by the social conditions of his existence. The latter is based on a complex set of interrelated socioeconomic problems, socio-political contradictions, socio-cultural, and spiritual-ideological factors. The practical significance of the study is determined by the possibility of preventing unlawful acts by young people and reducing the manifestation of extremist sentiments in society as a whole.