Aleks Krotoski talks to the children of those lost to QAnon conspiracies. Many have sought support and advice in online forums where they exchange stories of estrangement and bereavement unable to prevent their parent falling further down the rabbit of outlandish plots, twisted ideas and political extremism.
For many experts QAnon behaves like an authoritarian cult demanding total obedience to its ideas and anyone who can’t be converted are to be shunned. In an ironic twist on the classic cult narrative there as many parents as impressionable young people that have fallen under QAnon’s sway. But like cult members of the past can they be deprogrammed and reunited with their children?
Producer: Peter McManus
Published on Monday, 7th June 2021.
Available Podcasts from The Digital Human
Subscribe to The Digital Human
We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the The Digital Human webpage.