Cybersecurity of children - investments in human capital

(THEMATIC VECTOR: INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN CAPITAL)

No bullying will end until the bully learns responsibility.

Bullying. How to stop a child fr om being bullied

N. Tsymbalenko (journalist)

Relevance of the topic

Current stage of society development is described by increasing role of the informational sphere, which is a combination of information, information infrastructure, subjects performing collection, notification, dissemination, and use of information, as well as a system that regulates relevant social interactions. The informational sphere being a system-forming factor in the life of society actively affects conditions of the political, economic, defense related, and other components of security of the Russian Federation[1].

Information security in the Russian Federation constitutes a complex problem mostly based on the need to define clear relation between state, public, and personal interests of a child, to set the limits for exercising of information rights and public authority interference in the informational sphere of life.

According to Federal Law dated 29.12.2010 No. 436-FZ (rev. dated 08.08.2024) On children protection fr om information that causes damage to their health and development, information security of the minors in the Russian Federation means a set of organizational and legal means regulating rights of the minors in the informational sphere and ensuring protection of the minors from the impact of harmful (negative) information that entails danger for their lives and health or can harm their normal moral, spiritual, mental, and physical development.

The above mentioned Federal Law regulates relations associated with children protection from information that causes harm to their health and/ or development, in particular, from information on the Internet, but legislation is not perfect, as currently there are no special legal mechanisms to protect the minors from cyberbullying, however, the issue of protection from cyberbullying and other forms of online persecution of the minors is acute in legislation.

Development of high technologies, as well as openness of Russia to the global community resulted in the lack of children protection from illegal content on the Internet and aggravated issues associated with child trafficking, child pornography, and prostitution[2].

According to the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technologies, and Mass Media, from 2012 to 2018 more than 350 thousand Internet-resources with information prohibited for dissemination were entered in the register and blocked, of which: more than 92 thousand websites carried out illegal drug trafficking of which 81 660 websites or website pages were deleted, and access to 11 088 websites was restricted (in recent years, several regions of the Russian Federation have seen rapid rejuvenation of drug dealing (average age of a salesperson is 19 years) and increased cases of involvement of the minors in illegal drug trafficking via Internet[3]);

Active use of information and information technologies in all spheres of human life resulted in information threats in form of violated integrity, adequacy, confidentiality, completeness, and availability of information.

Hypothesis: the author has analyzed available scientific and practical sources on the said problem, offered a new vision of cybersecurity of the minors in the era of artificial intelligence, and realized the goal and objectives or the research indicated in the scientific paper.

Once, Norwegian psychologist D. Olweus provided the following concept: bullying means intended systematically repeated aggressive behavior that includes unequal power or strength[4].

There are types of bullying: mobbing, hazing, cyber mobbing, and cyberbullying are the English names of varieties of this dangerous phenomenon.

To determine directions of preventive work, subjects of influence, it is necessary to differentiate the above concepts:

Mobbing is a form of psychological violence in the form of mass bullying of a person in a group.

School mobbing is a type of emotional abuse at school, when a class or the majority of the class turns against one person and starts to bully them with some purpose. Those who bully are called mobbers, and those who are bullied are called "victims." Mobbing is a kind of "psychological terror" that includes systematically repeated hostile and unethical attitude of some people against others, mainly one person. For example, mobbing against a new boy or girl[5].

Forms of mobbing: making fun of physical defects, isolation, rejection, teasing, pushing, ridiculing of clothes, etc[6].

In essence, mobbing and bullying are similar notions that mean harassment. At the same time, bullying differs from mobbing in that the role of the persecutor is played not by entire class, but by particular student or group of students, who have authority.

Hazing provides for informal forced ritual rites performed at the time of joining to a certain group and for subsequent maintenance of hierarchy in this group. Phenomenon of hazing is mostly typical for closed (militarized, sports, boarding, etc.) institutions, as well as for regular educational establishments. For example, classmates or seniors impose various humiliating actions on freshers: to walk naked in public, to wash toilet floor with a toothbrush, etc[7].

Cyberbullying or Internet bullying means intended insults, threats, communication of compromising data to others with the use of modern means of communication: computers, mobile phones, e-mail, Internet, social networks, blogs, and chats, in addition, Internet bullying can also take form of showing or sending of harsh, rude or cruel text messages, mocking of the victim online, posting of personal information, photos or videos in the public domain in order to harm or embarrass the victim; creation of a fake social media account, e-mail and/ or web-page to stalk and bully others in the name of the victim, etc.

On one hand, digital environment has unique potential to provide equal opportunities for access to affordable and high quality education, free choice of training courses by individuals, both in our country and abroad. On the other hand, Internet and social networks constitute the space, wh ere aggressive behavior takes form of cyberbullying.

Appearance of the Internet has quickly spread the new kind of bullying, wh ere it became possible to commit violence against a person without direct interaction with the victim, but by communicating in virtual space. Aggressive persecution of a person got new forms with the use of various modern technologies[8].

The danger of cyberbullying is that other people may be involved in the bullying process, not always with their consent. Internet bullying differs fr om other types of violence as it allows the offender to remain anonymous and have a chance of not being caught. It shall be mentioned that a distinction is made between direct bullying, when a child is beaten, called names, teased, given offensive nicknames, their things are damaged or money is taken away, the child is forced to do something that they don't want to do, and indirect bullying, i.e. spreading of rumors and gossip, boycotting, avoiding, and manipulating friendships ("If you are friends with her, we are not friends with you")[9].

There are certain types of cyberbullying:

Direct cyberbullying means a targeted campaign launched by the classmates: bullying of a child in the space of modern technologies via letters or messages. Dissemination of both true and false information about a person with the purpose of discrimination and humiliation of their dignity, etc.

In case of indirect cyberbullying, other people get involved in the process of bullying of the victim (both children and adults), massive attack of messages on mobile phone with threats. Stalker can hack the victim's account and, disguising themselves as its owner, send messages fr om this account to the victim's friends, which destructs communicative field of the victim and casts doubt on their moral quality[10].

With the advent of cyberbullying, bullying became an almost 24-hour phenomenon, as a person is bombarded with messages and posts on social networks both at school and at home, which has very tragic consequences. The purpose of cyberbullying is deterioration of the victim's emotional state or destruction of their social relations.

Teenagers are the most vulnerable group for cyberbullying. Internet and social networks constitute another space, wh ere children are facing aggression and other modern challenges that they have to face in real life as well. Socialization of children under conditions of digital environment includes help fr om family and teachers to ensure that children are safely introduced to the digital space[11].

Digital environment is an additional space for threats and bullying, but not an independent factor of their occurrence. High user activity of children on social networks and their poor awareness of the dangers of the Internet space cause increased anxiety of children, as well as increased risk of suicidal behavior. In this connection there is clearly a need to activate the educational potential of the school to prevent cyberbullying in children's environment.

Educational institutions have special status to solve the problem of cyberbullying in teenagers' environment, on one hand, society sets tasks to manage and resolve conflicts in the informational-educational environment, on the other hand, parents assign responsibility for protection of teenagers' psychophysical health. It is important to mention that this work shall not contain a system of preventive measures, but shall be a strategy of action in all areas of activity of the school, educational potential of which is aimed at qualitatively new level of functioning of the entire educational process. Prevention of bullying and cyberbullying shall clearly include managerial elements of planning of the priority and long term tasks, solve technical issues, and expand the possibilities of psychological support of children and teenagers.

Increased bullying of children on the Internet is the global trend, but to minimize the risks associated with schoolchildren communication on the Internet, it is primarily necessary to streamline pedagogical support at school so that teachers, children, and parents can jointly work on reduction of the risks associated with innovative methods of violence against a child[12].

Parents are usually unaware of such criminal phenomenon as cyberbullying, thus, they cannot always help a child to protect themselves from Internet threats, this is why the priority task in the area of cyberbullying prevention shall start from legal education of parents. Parents' emotional support can be relevant and timely, the main thing is to explain a child how to protect himself from cyberbullying. Prohibition and restriction of the use of particular services prove ineffective, and they require knowledge on computer technologies that ensure online security of their child[13].

The second important area of school's work is training of specialized staff, i.e. social teachers and psychologists in prevention of bullying and cyberbullying in teenagers’ environment[14]. Some statistics suggests that cyberbullying inflicts dangerous psychological trauma on the victim, which sometimes cannot be coped with independently[15].

Elena Sutormina, first vice president of the Russian Peace Foundation (organization having the highest status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council), head of Security 2.0 monitoring center notes that according to Security 2.0 monitoring center of the Russian Peace Foundation, in 2023, the number of online bullying episodes that received wide public resonance among young audience increased by 16% as compared to 2020[16].

Issues of cyberbullying prevention in educational and upbringing process at school require improved digital literacy and legal culture of schoolchildren. Another important aspect of bullying and cyberbullying prevention is personal and psychophysical characteristics of a teenager.

Russian Peace Foundation prepared International Declaration on Combating Cyberbullying (cybermobbing), within the framework of which following is suggested:

- consolidated notion of cyberbullying in administrative and criminal legislation with fixed responsibility and mechanisms to control the situation.

- free face-to-face and remote psychological support and adaptation system for cyberbullying victims that is available for students of all educational institutions.

- a unified system of master classes and trainings for students on Bullying in the 21^st Century with explanation of existing threats and informing on correct social and technological algorithm of actions.

- mandatory annual sociometry of the groups of minors and teachers within the framework of comprehensive prevention of bullying and any other forms of aggressive behavior in educational environment.

- support of NPO and development of public initiatives associated with education, prevention, and rehabilitation in cases and issues associated with virtual bullying. A system of state and commercial grants.

- establishment and development of the Cyberbullying Free joint open educational online project by the leading IT-companies with explanation of socio-psychological and technological aspects of the problem, training in relevant action algorithms.

development and launching of Cyberbullying Free social advertising with participation of world show business stars and support of airports, railway stations, and ports of the member countries having joined this Declaration[17].

According to the Ministry of Public Healthcare (https://minzdrav.gov.ru/) in 2023, there was an increase in the amount of mental and behavioral disorders in children and teenagers, in particular, that associated with use of psychoactive substances.

At the initiative of UNESCO, on November 5, 2019, International Day against Violence, Bullying, and Cyberbullying was established. In the same year VK (Vkontakte) project called all those, for whom any violence online and beyond is unacceptable, to unite and declared November 11 as the Day of Combating Cyberbullying in Russia. This step was enthusiastically supported by users, as many of them personally encountered bullying and cruelty on the Internet and needed support and advice on how to manage emotions and protect themselves from aggression of the offenders. In 2021, Sferum information and communication platform was launched within the framework of VK project (Sferum; https://sferum.ru/), wh ere in addition to VK messenger that ensures secure access to educational resources, school chats, and video lessons teachers and schoolchildren can learn how to cope with cyberbullying and other issues associated with digital space[18].

At present, there is a lack of clear legislative prohibition (restriction) on access of children and teenagers to informational portals and resources on the Internet, as well as efficient mechanisms to ensure information security of children and teenagers on the Internet.

Operational strategy of educational institution also includes establishment of information security service. Digital space serves for personal dissemination of emotions and at the same time it is possible to study collective reactions. Based on digital environments one can study anxiety and depression of children and teenagers. Such research will help to predict and prevent adverse consequences of the psycho-emotional state of a child[19].

Teenagers are the most vulnerable group for cyberbullying. Internet and social networks constitute another space, wh ere children are facing aggression modern challenges that they have to face in real life as well. Socialization of children under conditions of digital environment includes help fr om family and teachers to ensure that children are safely introduced to the digital space.

- improved psychological and pedagogical competence of teachers in prevention of bullying and cyberbullying;

- individual consultations of children with experts of school psychological and pedagogical services;

- establishment of the foundation for positive emotional relations between children and teenagers in a class;

- legal education of children, their parents, and teachers;

- establishment of information security service.

Due to age related specifics of teenagers and contradictory worldviews of developing personality of a school child under conditions of the modern world, prevention of cyberbullying among children constitutes an acute problem in the work of educational institutions.

At present, there is a lack of clear legislative prohibition (restriction) on access of children and teenagers to informational portals and resources on the Internet, as well as efficient mechanisms to ensure information security of children and teenagers on the Internet.

Regardless of regulatory legal acts in force in the Russian Federation[20] that regulate protection of psychophysiological health of children from malicious information, there is widespread distribution of materials containing violence, aggression, erotica and pornography, propaganda of suicide, gambling, and drugs, cyberbullying (Internet bullying)[21], grooming, and trolling in the Internet space, which negatively affects moral and psychological condition of children and teenagers and results in the need for development of organisational and legal measures to protect the minors from malicious content on the Internet[22] through blocking of websites promoting suicide and introduction of criminal responsibility for bullying on the Internet (stalking, bullying, etc.), thus, due to their age, lack of life experience, and knowledge in the area of information security children are unable to filter quality of information and are the most vulnerable to the impact of prohibited information. Development and use of information technologies often negatively affect children, and encourages their illegal and destructive behavior[23].

In our opinion, the main reason for the lack of real cases in this category of offenses is that there are no concepts of bullying and cyberbullying in Russian legislation, however certain regulatory legal acts provide for offenses containing individual elements of these acts.

For example, Part 1 Chapter 8 of the Civil Code of Russia provides for financial responsibility of persons for violation of intangible rights: honor, dignity and business reputation of an individual, private life and family secrets. If actions of a person contain no signs of social danger and their actions did not lead to socially dangerous consequences, such an act is considered to be a civil offense.

Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses provides for administrative penalties for insult, i.е. humiliation of a person's honor and dignity expressed in indecent form (Article 5.61), as well as for incitement to hatred or enmity and humiliation of human dignity (Article 20.3.1)[24].

Criminal law of Russia contains several offenses featuring the most prominent signs of bullying (systematic humiliation of honor and dignity, slander, threats regarding a person, which may entail, in particular, suicide of the victim):

Article 110 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — incitement to suicide (as a grave consequence of systematic psychological abuse of the victim);

Articles 110.1—110.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — incitement to commit suicide, as well as arrangement of activities aimed at incitement to commit suicide;

Article 119 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — threat to kill or cause serious harm to health (threats are one of the forms of bullying);

Article 128.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — slander (dissemination of defamatory information about a person, for example, to cause their moral suffering).

In particular, in Japan, since 2008 there is a Law on maintenance of healthy internet environment for the youth[25] that provides for access of the minors to the web (including via mobile Internet) only subject to pre-installation of software filters. This law also assigns responsibility to ensure secure access to the Internet to providers and server owners.

New Zealand's Harmful Digital Communications Act of 2015[26] provides for administrative responsibility for website owners in form of a fine in the amount of up to USD 33.5 thousand for individuals and up to USD 134 thousand for legal entities, if their users suffer from digital harm, in particular, cyberbullying, trolling, offensive comments, etc.

In US, cyberbullying is being dealt at legislative level. The first law was adopted by Georgia in 1999, which was followed by other states each having their own rules of work with cyberbullying. For example, in Georgia it is prohibited to use gadgets for bullying. In Nevada they criminalized verbal and written threats and intimidation of schoolchildren. There is even a special Public Supervision Organization — Bully Police of USA — that evaluates the quality of laws in the area of bullying and supports students, who got bullied.

In Canada they established a special organization called Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet) to create national strategy of bullying reduction in the country. Its members include 62 scientists from 27 Canadian universities and 52 national groups. Here, the main measures to deal with bullying are aimed at parents, since their involvement in the problem of bullying is not high enough. Canadians believe that parents and school staff shall learn to recognize bullies and be able to “treat” them – this is the key step in prevention[27].

In 2017, Youth Parliament under the State Duma of the Russian Federation submitted for consideration a draft law on administrative responsibility for bullying, in particular, on the Internet, which got reflected in the introduction of Federal Law dated March 18, 2019, No. 28-FZ Parts 3—5 in Art. 20.1 Petty hooliganism of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation[28].

These norms provide for responsibility for one-time, two-time, and multiple dissemination in informational-telecommunication networks of information expressed in indecent form and insulting honor and dignity of an individual, obvious disrespect for society and the state, etc., unless there are signs of a crime. Interestingly, the legislator classified this act as hooliganism, and not insult, as provisioned in Article 5.61 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation[29].

In our opinion, the problem of cyberbullying is underestimated by legislators. Criminal legislation in the area of protection of honor, dignity, and health of the minors from cyberbullying shall be developed, as the above offenses do not cover certain acts that are forms of cyberbullying regarding children and teenagers being the most vulnerable to cyberthreats category of victims, thus, it is necessary to establish the notion of insult to a minor in the criminal law, and in Part 3 Art. 119 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation[30] to establish commitment of an act with the use of information-telecommunication networks (including Internet) regarding a minor as a qualifying feature[31].

While informational security of children at general education institutions is ensured through special measures, outside of them informational security of children shall be ensured by their parents. Currently children use Internet from shared home computer or from a smartphone. Parents, who are busy due to the lack of time and work, are unable to fully monitor what their child is doing on the Internet. Besides, the problem of child suicides is taking new forms – with the emergence of website users, who exert manipulative negative influence on children, means of suicide propaganda are changing.

There are known cases of minors being driven to suicide by threats, cruel treatment or systematic humiliation of human dignity by family members or close circle.

Turning to foreign experience, it can be noted that, for example, UK government created a program to destroy websites containing images of strangulation, torture, rape, and necrophilia. In 1998, US passed the law On protection of children's privacy that came into force from April 21, 2000, and regulates relations associated with online collection by individuals or legal entities of personal information from children under the age of 13 (obtaining information from children requires permission from their parent or caretakers)[32].

In 2000, US Congress passed the law On protection of children on the Internet that obliged schools and public libraries to install blocking programs and special filters on the Internet. In EU they developed the Safe Internet program, tasks of which include support and protection of children and youth via hot line by way of implementation of initiatives to improve awareness and combat illegal and destructive content and behavior on the Internet. In 2004, European Agency for Network and Information Security ENISA was created. In RF too there are multiple programs to ensure safe use of the Internet[33].

Since late 2007, Russia applies the Clean Line website blocking system, Center of Safe Internet in Russia was created in 2008, in January 2011, they established Safe Internet League that is a non-profit partnership, the main goal of which is to eradicate dangerous content on the Internet. The issues of the minors' security on the Internet formed the basis for development of several complex social projects[34].

Thus, it is only comprehensive and active participation of the state in the person of law enforcement agencies, general education institutions, and parents with the use of innovative approaches and methods to improve information security of children that can minimize consequences of information threats, forecast possible problems of information security of children, as well as combat them in the future.

A striking example of cyberbullying in recent years is the story of Diana Shurygina. After publication and wide dissemination in the Media of information on the crime committed against her sexual inviolability and sexual freedom of the individual, the girl became an object of public condemnation, which over time turned into bullying.

Many users considered it acceptable not just to discuss, in particular, ridiculing and downplaying the gravity of the crime committed (for example, the story was used as the basis for humorous sketches that were presented in various television and Internet shows), but also to invade personal life of D. Shurygina and her family, including systematic insults and threats to life and health. These attacks even forced the family to move to another city[35].

At present, protection and education of children constitute issues of national security.

Leveling out of the problem of information security of the minors requires continuous monitoring of current legislation and law enforcement practice based on the actual effectiveness of measures and management decisions taken in the interests of children, and it is only subject to coordinated interaction of all concerned subjects ensuring criminological security of the minors that it is possible to provide the maximum protection of the rights and legal interests of the younger generation. This goal is achievable if the state, law enforcement agencies, and the public join their efforts, and parents acknowledge their leading role in ensuring information security of children[36].

At the same time, Internet space poses a threat to modern society, as it contains malicious information that harms mental health and development of the minors being the most vulnerable age category[37].

Being online 24/7 makes teenagers vulnerable to victimization through Internet. Usually teenagers use modern technologies to frighten, harass, humiliate or otherwise cause anxiety among peers by sending offensive letters, spreading gossips, creating web-pages, video and accounts on social networks to make fun of someone, taking pictures, wh ere people expect privacy, and disseminating them online, filming and uploading video footage online without permission, using anonymous applications to humiliate and destroy players' achievements in gaming networks, etc.

In support of the above, below is just one of the multiple existing classifications of Internet threats by psychologist V. Paksevatkina:

а) content related risks (various materials containing harmful (dangerous), illegal, and unethical information);

b) communicational risks (establishment of friendly relations with a child via Internet for the purpose of subsequent illegal acts)[38].

Besides, cyberstalking can take such forms as exchange of information, contacts or images, intimidation, imitation, hooliganism (Internet trolling and social boycott). The author would like to pay special attention to such common Internet phenomenon as trolling (insult), the notion of which is not existing in legislation of the Russian Federation, and it is necessary to distinguish between different offenses, i.e. insult, slander, and value judgments without signs of these two offenses. An insult can also go into the sphere of criminal responsibility, for example, in case of incitement of hatred on various social grounds (nationality, religion, etc.)[39].

Consumer risks, in particular, cyber fraud (causing material or other damage by stealing of user's personal information (bank account numbers, passport details, codes, passwords, etc.). Besides, along with globalization it became easy and accessible to buy goods fr om Internet stores, however, there are many websites and groups on social networks that offer goods at low price. Oftentimes such attractive offers turn out to be a scam, as a result of which teenagers lose their money[40].

Electronic risks (various software (viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, bots, etc.) that can damage computer and violate confidentiality of information stored in it). In most of the cases, minors end up on unwanted pages with pornographic, extremist or drug-dealing content, etc.

Unfortunately, such crimes remain hidden from parents, law enforcement agencies, and society. It is rather difficult to hold a "virtual" personality accountable for illegal acts committed on the Internet, as the attacker can introduce himself as anyone, create any image they want, and change their appearance.

In addition, one of the problems of the Internet for children are electronic games, which are violent games, wh ere actions are aimed at destruction or causing death to the enemy.

A child sitting for hours in front of a monitor learns to destroy, thus, creative skills and careful attitude towards their own life, and especially that of others are not developed[41]. According to research of Internet threats conducted by Kaspersky Lab, every sixth user of the "parental control" module encountered pornographic websites, 25 % of the users encountered websites dedicated to gambling[42]. Parents' ability to control, inform on security, and restrict activity of children on the Internet doesn't seem to be the maximum possible, as parents themselves demonstrate low Internet activity, thus, they are unaware of any threats.

Besides, spiritual, moral, and social factors also have a role to play. Oftentimes children uncontrollably go into virtual reality from the burden of unresolved problems and face cybercrimes, as they publish information on themselves, their close ones, and make anonymous acquaintances, as a result of which they can get exposed to negative influence of dangerous individuals or become victims of cybercrime. Dependency of the younger generation on virtual space is one of the reasons, why adults worry about their children. Especially in the context of recent death of teenagers through "death groups." The World Health Organization notes that websites and social networks “are undoubtedly involved in provoking and facilitating of suicidal behavior,” as via open websites and social networks individuals can easily disseminate uncensored materials and information on suicides[43].

For example, in 2010, Declaration For the Safety of Children and Youth on the Internet. In January 2011, they established Safe Internet League that is a non-profit partnership, the main goal of which is to eradicate dangerous content on the Internet. The issues of the minors' security on the Internet formed the basis for development of several complex social projects. Starting from 2012, Reasonable Internet Foundation has been active, the tasks of which include both support of humanitarian network projects (domain zone "children"), and development of special Internet resources.

In 2012, Federal Law On children protection from information that causes damage to their health and development came into action that ensures information security of the minors by way of setting of a list information prohibited for children and age based classifier of informational space products[44] that defines the notion of information security of children as a state of security of children, in which there is no risk associated with information causing harm to their health and/or physical, mental, spiritual, or moral development[45].

However, regardless of legislative regulation of the issue of children's safety from harmful information, recently events occurred that cast doubt on reliability of legal methods to combat dangerous content. The problem of inclination of the minors to suicidal actions through Internet space, high level of public resonance of the available facts motivated Russian legislator to introduce changes in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Previously, there was a problem of qualification on this issue in the theory of criminal law. According to N. Е. Krylova, it seems extremely doubtful that criminal cases will be opened in such situations under Part 4 of Article 33 and Article 110 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation Instigation regarding inciting to commit suicide[46]. The reason is insufficiently severe punishment and lack of qualifying feature as “via Internet.” In the end, the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation got supplemented with two additional Articles 110.1 and 110.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation[47].

Article 110.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for responsibility for incitement to suicide in a public speech, publicly displayed work, Media or informational and information-telecommunication networks (including Internet). The newly introduced article provides for more severe types of punishment for such criminal acts. Article 110.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for responsibility for arrangement of activities aimed at incitement to commit suicide, including the same act associated with public speech, use of a publicly displayed work, Media or information-telecommunication networks (including Internet).

Examination of 35 court verdicts under Article 110 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation revealed 11 cases of incitement to suicide of the minors through threats, cruel treatment or systematic humiliation of human dignity by family members or close circle[48].

Of course, higher criminal responsibility alone will not solve the problem. It requires a comprehensive system to implement psychological conditions preventing suicide among teenagers. Legislation of the Russian Federation regarding cyber space is still developing, at present, there is no special area to regulate relations in the virtual world yet, and legal precedents do not seem that extensive[49].

CONCLUSIONS:

Protection of the minors from illegal content published in virtual environment seems to be one of the acute problems faced by the international community. Internet is a global informational space, thus, protective measures applied regarding malicious information are limited to national frameworks and international cooperation in the area of the minors' rights protection from Internet threats is considered as a priority direction[50].

In this connection there is a need for introduction of criminal responsibility for cyberbullying and trolling by analogy with the criminal legislation of New Zealand, sexting by analogy with US and Australian legislation, and cybergrooming by analogy with UK legislation.

Introduction of these changes will promote not only improvement of the legal system ensuring security of the minors and reduction in the level of their victimization from illegal behavior on the Internet, but also crime prevention.

Educational programs, films, and cartoons for children, the plot of which will contain information on the risks and threats associated with the use of the Internet and measures aimed at their prevention.

Regulatory legal acts providing certain requirements for companies, institutions, organizations, and individuals providing communication services in terms of information security of the minors on the Internet.

The author supports offers on introduction of certain changes in federal legislation:

- Federal Law dated 29.12.2012 No. 273-FZ On education in the Russian Federation shall provide for the competence of educational institutions aimed at development media literacy among students in order to ensure unity of ethical, civil-patriotic, and cultural-aesthetic development of the minors and security of a child in informational environment[51];

- Federal Law dated 29.12.2010 No. 436-FZ On children protection from information that causes damage to their health and development shall provide for obligatory performance by the manufacturer and/ or distributor of expert assessments (social, psychological, pedagogical) of computer games with elements of aggression and violence[52];

- Federal Law dated 29.12.2010 No. 436-FZ On children protection from information causing harm to their health and development shall set out prohibition of criminal subculture propaganda and forming of the idea of criminal lifestyle attractiveness;

- Federal Law dated 24.06.1999 No. 120-FZ On the basics of the system of prevention of neglect and delinquency of the minors and Federal Law dated 27.07.2006 No. 149-FZ On information, information technologies, and protection of information shall provide for the obligation of Rospotrebnadzor or register operator assigned by them to notify Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia within 10 days on cases of inclusion in the register of information that is prohibited or restricted for circulation among the minors[53].

Awareness campaigns that will improve awareness of illegal behavior and content on the Internet, as well as possible methods and measures to ensure information security of the minors.

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[9]Psychology of teenager age: the problem of bullying// Electronic resource: https://nayavu.mirtesen.ru/blog/43741223457/Psihologiya-podrostkovogo-vozrasta:-problema- bullinga?utm_referrer=mirtesen.ru

[10] A. A. Bochaver, K. D. Khlomov. Bullying as an object of research and cultural phenomenon // Psychology. Journal of the Higher School of Economics, 10(3). P. 149-159.

[11] K. D. Khlomov. Psychology of teenager age: the problem of bullying. Electronic resource: https://www.psychol-ok.ru/lib/poppsy/2017/0724.html

[12] N. Barey. Information security of children in virtual space. Cyberbullying as a stigmatizing factor/ N. S. Barey, V. A. Maltseva – Text: Electronic // Theory and practice of social development. – 2020 – URL : https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/informatsionnaya-bezopasnost-detey-v-virtualnom-prostranstve-kiber... (date of access : 03.01.2023).

[13] V. A. Kurbenkov. Bullying in Russian schools: legal problems of prevention / V. A. Kurbenkov, A.Yu. Novoseltsev // Journal of Russian Law. 2020 – No. 3

[14] D. A. Gulyanitskaya. Combating bullying in Russian schools: legal and organizational mechanisms / D. A. Gulyanitskaya, I. I. Karandashov // Education and law. – 2020 – No. 2 –URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/protivodeystvie-bullingu-v-rossiyskih-shkolah-pravovye-i-organizat... (date of access: 03.01.2022).

[15] According to the research by Microsoft, in 2023, in Russia 49% of children aged 8—17 reported that they were subjected to online bullying or other forms of treatment that have negative consequences (for comparison, the average level for 25 other countries surveyed was 37%.), in particular, 27% faced rude and unfriendly treatment, 20% were ridiculed or teased, 24% were subjected to name calling. 67% of children reported that they know about bullying online, 34% feel anxious about this topic. Report by Russian Foundation for Internet Development for 2020 states that almost every third teenager encountered communication risks during their year of using the Internet, the leading risk being cyberbullying; every fourth teenager reported that they encountered insults, humiliation or harassment online. According to UNESCO, in 2020, 9 to 21% of children and teenagers from industrialized countries are subject to cyberbullying, and girls are more likely to be at risk than boys. Report by WHO indicated that in the RF among 11 year old children 11% of girls and 8% of boys become victims of cyberbullying at least 2—3 times a month; among 13 year old children — 6% and 8%, among 15 year old children — 5% and 7%, respectively.

[16] Quote: Russian Peace Foundation developed International Declaration on Combating Cyberbullying. This was reported by Rambler. Further information: https://news.rambler.ru/community/45216721-rossiyskiy-fond-mira-razrabotal- ezhdunarodnuyu-deklaratsiyu-protivodeystviya-kiberbullingu/)

[17] Quote: Russian Peace Foundation developed International Declaration on Combating Cyberbullying. This was reported by Rambler. Further information:https://news.rambler.ru/community/45216721-rossiyskiy-fond-mira-razrabotal- ezhdunarodnuyu-deklaratsiyu-protivodeystviya-kiberbullingu/

[18] K. A. Ainutdinova, I. N. Ainutdinova. Victimological aspects of cyberbullying: victims and aggressors of online interaction // Main trends in modern law development: problems of theory and practice. Materials of the VII National Scientific and Practical Conference. Edited by R. F. Stepanenko, A. B. Mezyaeva, S. N. Tagaeva, S. M. Alamova. Kazan, 2023. https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=54695874

[19] Digital competence of teenagers and parents. All-Russian research results / G. U. Soldatova, T. A. Nestik, E. I. Rasskazova, E. Yu. Zotova. — М.: Internet Development Foundation, 2013. — 144 p.

[20] Federal Law dated 29.12.2010 No. 436-FZ On children protection from information that causes damage to their health and development // RG. 2010. No. 297; Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 02.12.2015 No. 2471-r On approval of the Concept of information security of children // collection of legislation of the Russian Federation. 2015. No. 49. Art. 7055; Order of the Ministry of Communications of Russia On approval of the action plan to implement Concept of information security of children for 2018-2020 // ConsultantPlus; State Duma adopted in the first reading Yarovaya's bill, protecting children from involvement in criminal communities and dangerous groups. URL: http//xn80ad9ah8ee.xn-plai/news/16453.html.

[21] 49% of Russian teenagers aged 8 to 17 became victims of these acts, and cyber stalking often complements real violence

[22] From report of Prosecutor General Yu. Chaika at a meeting of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation in 2018 // URL: https://genproc.gov.ru/smi/news-1366820/

[23] I. R. Shikula. Information security of children in cyberspace: theoretical and legal aspects // collection of works of the State and Law in the Modern World international scientific and practical conference., М. 2022 г. https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=54284034

[24] Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses dated 30.12.2001 No. 195-FZ (rev. dated 14.10.2024) (with amendments and supplements introduced from with 21.10.2024). Electronic resource: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_34661/?ysclid=m2hp2jg8ky27049483

[25] Safe Internet for children. Experience of Japan // URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/ n/ detyam-bezopasnyy-internet-opyt-yaponii (date of access: 19.02.2023)

[26] Harmful Digital Communications Bill — a law in New Zealand that makes cyberbullying and trolling on the Internet criminal offenses. Introduced from July 13, 2015. According to the law, those using threatening and offensive language may be fined or sentenced to imprisonment.

[27] How they help children abroad to fight bullying. El. resource: https://skyeng.ru/magazine/kak-detyam-za-rubezhom-pomogayut-borotsya-s-bullingom/

[28] On the need for introduction in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation of the definitions offensive and insulting words and actions and insults not related to humiliation of a person. Electronic resource. https://www.roi.ru/75415/

[29] V. А. Maltseva. Children protection from cyberbullying. Issues of criminal law regulation// Law and right.- 2019.- С. 55

[30] Criminal Code of the Russian Federation dated 13.06.1996 No. 63-FZ (rev. dated 02.10.2024). Electronic resource: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_10699/?ysclid=m2hp5mgipu675860758

[31] In this respect the author fully agrees with V. А. Maltseva (see Children protection from cyberbullying. Issues of criminal law regulation// Law and right.-2019.- С. 55.

[32] E. A. Skobina. Problems of children protection in the Internet space / E. A. Skobina, E. S. Burdinskaya. — Text: immediate // Current issues of legal sciences: materials of IV Int. scientific conf. (Chita, April 2018). — Chita: Young Scientist publishing house, 2018. P 58-62. — URL: https://moluch.ru/conf/law/archive/284/14093/ (date of access: 05.09.2024).

[33] E. A. Skobina. Problems of children protection in the Internet space / E. A. Skobina, E. S. Burdinskaya. — Text: immediate // Current issues of legal sciences: materials of IV Int. scientific conf. (Chita, April 2018). — Chita: Young Scientist publishing house, 2018. P 58-62. — URL: https://moluch.ru/conf/law/archive/284/14093/ (date of access: 05.09.2024).

[34]For example, in the Novosibirsk Region they implement following programs: "No bullying!" (to development empathy and constructive communication skills), Teenager (to arrange summer holidays for children "at risk", work of a specialized team); trainings: Cybermobbing and cyberbullying of the minors (training on tolerance increasing and bullying prevention in the space of modern Internet technologies). El. resource: http://iac.dagminobr.ru/files/2021/bulling_.pdf

[35] Shurygina told about threats against her family // URL: https://iz.ru/694793/2018-01-12/shurygina-rasskazala-ob-ugrozakh-v-adres-svoei-semi (date of access: 05.09.2024)

[36] Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 02.12.2015 No. 2471-r On approval of the Consept of information security of children // https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_190009/f62ee45faefd8e2a11d6d88941ac66824f848bc2/

[37] E. A. Skobina. Problems of children protection in the Internet space / E. A. Skobina, E. S. Burdinskaya. — Text: immediate // Current issues of legal sciences: materials of IV Int. scientific conf. (Chita, April 2018). — Chita: Young Scientist publishing house, 2018. P. 58-62. — URL: https://moluch.ru/conf/law/archive/284/14093/ (date of access: 05.09.2024).

[38] V. Paksevatkina. Why the Internet is dangerous (methodical materials for presentation) Part 1// [Electronic resource]. — Access mode: URL: http://www.b17.ru/blog/74840/ (date of access: 04.10.2024).

[39] A. A. Gaganov. Responsibility for trolling on the Internet. // [Electronic resource]/ — Access mode: URL: http://rusrand.ru/analytics/otvetstvennost-za-trolling-v-internete (date of access: 04.10.2024).

[40] E. A. Skobina. Problems of children protection in the Internet space / E. A. Skobina, E. S. Burdinskaya. — Text: immediate // Current issues of legal sciences: materials of IV Int. scientific conf. (Chita, April 2018). — Chita: Young Scientist publishing house, 2018. — P. 58-62. — URL: https://moluch.ru/conf/law/archive/284/14093/ (date of access: 10.10.2024).

[41] E. I. Atagimova. Problems of the negative influence of the Internet on moral education of teenagers in the informational space and relevant solutions// Legal informatics. — 2013/ [Electronic resource]. — Access mode: URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/problemy-otritsatelnogo-vliyaniya-interneta-na-nravstvennoe-vospit... (date of access: 10.10.2024).

[42] S. V. Kobzeva. Protection of right of the minors from threats on the Internet // [Electronic resource]. — Access mode: URL: http://отрасли-права.рф/article/28002 (date of access 12.10.2024).

[43] In St. Petersburg a criminal case was initiated on teenager instigation regarding inciting to commit suicide// [Electronic resource] // Main Investigations Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for St. Petersburg. — URL: http://spb.sledcom.ru/Novosti/item/1040786/ (date of access: 12.10.2023).

[44] V. Demidov. Civil society as a regulator of the network. https://www.kv.by/content/liga-bezopasnogo-interneta

[45] Federal Law dated 29.12.2010 No. 436-FZ (rev. dated 08.08.2024) On children protection from information that causes damage to their health and development" Electronic resource: https://legalacts.ru/doc/federalnyi-zakon-ot-29122010-n-436-fz-o/?ysclid=m2hpffiffj167595453 (date of access: 12.10.2024).

[46] N. E. Krylova. Death groups and teenager suicide: criminal and legal aspects // [Electronic resource]. – Access mode: URL: http://отрасли-права.рф/article/22232 (date of access: 12.10.2024).

[47] Criminal Code of the Russian Federation dated 13.06.1996 No. 63-FZ (rev. dated 02.10.2024). Electronic resource: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_10699/?ysclid=m2hp5mgipu675860758

[48] Analysis of court sentences was performed for 2022. Electronic resource: https://www.vsrf.ru

[49] J. P. Dorofeeva. Problems of legal regulation of children protection from negative influence of the Internet // Bulletin of the Belgorod Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. — 2017/ [Electronic resource].- Access mode: URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/problemy-pravovogo-regulirovaniya-zaschity-detey-ot-negativnogo-vl... (date of access: 14.10.2024).

[50] E. A. Skobina. Problems of children protection in the Internet space / E. A. Skobina, E. S. Burdinskaya. — Text: immediate // Current issues of legal sciences: materials of IV Int. scientific conf. (Chita, April 2018). — Chita: Young Scientist publishing house, 2018. — P. 58-62. — URL: https://moluch.ru/conf/law/archive/284/14093/ (date of access: 14.10.2024).

[51] Prevention of delinquent behavior of the minors produced by content of the Internet: abstract of a dissertation for PhD in Law: specialty 12.00.08 / Elena Vladimirovna Kuznetsova; [South-West State University]. - Kursk, 2019. - 25 p.

[52] Ibid. P. 26

[53] Prevention of delinquent behavior of the minors produced by content of the Internet: abstract of a dissertation for PhD in Law: specialty 12.00.08 / Elena Vladimirovna Kuznetsova; [South-West State University]. - Kursk, 2019. - 25 p.