Recent public opinion in Russia reveals a split view on how the internet affects children. A substantial portion of the population—roughly 45 percent—expresses concern that online content can be harmful to younger users. This figure comes from Kommersant, which cites a survey conducted by the Foundation for Public Opinion, commonly known as FOM. The data highlight a societal unease about the digital environment, even as a significant share recognizes positive aspects of online life for minors.
Meanwhile, about 42 percent of Russians view the internet as a useful tool for minors. Kommersant notes that, for the first time in more than ten years, the share of people who view the internet negatively has surpassed the share that sees it as beneficial. This shift signals a growing critical stance toward online spaces, alongside a cautious appreciation of what the web can offer to young people.
Those who describe the internet as harmful point to several concerns. They argue there is an overabundance of unnecessary information online, which can overwhelm and mislead younger users. They also worry that heavy internet use among schoolchildren may be linked to poorer academic performance, and that some youths could become addicted to online activities. On the other side, those who defend the internet emphasize its strengths. They point to vast reservoirs of valuable information, opportunities to broaden horizons, and tangible benefits for studying and learning. In their view, the internet is a resource that, when used wisely, can enhance education and personal development.
The FOM survey also sheds light on opinions about responsibility for online safety. A notable 68 percent of Russians assign responsibility to parents, reflecting a belief that guardians should actively monitor and guide a child’s internet use. Smaller shares assign responsibility to supervisory authorities (15 percent), to the owners of websites and apps (10 percent), to the children themselves (5 percent), and to teachers (2 percent). This distribution underscores a prevailing view that online safety is primarily a family matter, though it also acknowledges the roles of institutions and platform operators in creating a safer digital landscape.
In related coverage, it was reported that protecting the nation’s digital infrastructure comes with a significant financial commitment. The plan to establish a nationwide system to shield critical online services from distributed denial of service attacks carried an estimated government cost of around 1.4 billion rubles. This figure reflects a broader priority: strengthening cyber resilience while balancing the need to keep internet access open and educational for young users. Overall, the survey results and subsequent discussions show a nuanced society weighing potential risks against the benefits of digital connectivity and education for children in a rapidly evolving online world.