  Disaffected youth are among the most susceptible in espousing and acting on
extremist ideals, as confirmed by demographic studies. To study age-dependent
radicalization we introduce a three-stage model where individuals progress
through non-radical, activist, and radical states, while also aging.
Transitions between stages are modeled as age-dependent interactions that are
maximized for individuals of the same age and that are enhanced at early
adulthood. For comparison, we also derive the age-independent formulation
corresponding to the full age-dependent model. We find that age-dependence
leads to more complex dynamics, enhancing radicalization in certain parameter
regimes. We also observe waves of radical behavior ebbing and flowing over
generational cycles, realizing well known paradigms in political science. While
government intervention is most effective when the appropriate ages are
targeted, deciding whether preventive or corrective action is preferable
depends on the aggressiveness of the radicalization process.

Physics and Society;Dynamical Systems