As numerous countries set up provisions on social media utilization, Russia is taking a step further by proposing the enactment of a complete restriction on internet use for citizens under the age of 14, with authorities considering regulating mobile phone usage.
The suggested regulation was driven by growing concerns on the negative influence of social media on the youth, an issue magnified with a landmark verdict against tech giants Meta (NASDAQ: META) and Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) video streaming platform YouTube, which were found liable in a social media addiction case.
State Duma Committee on Family Protection Chairwoman Nina Ostanina said restricting internet access for citizens under 14 would help preserve their physical and mental well-being, while keeping them safe from online fraud.
Ostanina emphasized that children are more susceptible to online fraud due to their limited digital literacy. This has led lawmakers to mull replacing foreign social media apps with local ones in an effort to curb fraud and criminality in the community, but the chairwoman stressed that this is not enough.
Apart from restricting internet access, the proposed regulation would also include initiatives such as implementing night restrictions and the establishment of special social networks that are safe for children.
The latest initiatives came days after Russian Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov announced that the State Duma is discussing the possibility of banning mobile phone use for children under a certain age.
Kravtsov has been vocal about his opposition against allowing children to use smartphones or tablets, claiming that doing so affects their psychological development.
Both measures are still under review, and no decision has so far been made, Kravtsov said, noting that this is “a complex issue.”
Chaos brews amid widespread internet blackouts
While discussions on restricting internet access for under-14s are ongoing, Russia continues to grapple with public outcry against internet blackouts, which the government implemented as a “necessary” security measure in thwarting Ukrainian counter-attacks with drones.
On March 25, the government lifted restrictions on mobile internet access in the capital, Moscow, but citizens claimed they continue to experience poor connections, with frequent, widespread switch-offs, The Straits Times reported.
This has led to an increasing demand to hold protests in a bid to get the government’s attention and swiftly resolve the issue. However, street demonstrations in Russia are banned unless organizers secure a permit from local authorities in advance.
Threatened by the possibility of unauthorized public gatherings, the Interior Ministry warned of detention for those who plan to participate in illegal demonstrations.
“All attempts to hold such events will be immediately suppressed, and their organisers and participants will be detained,” the ministry stated.
As Russians remain digitally isolated from the rest of the world due to widespread internet blackouts, the state-backed Max messenger platform remains operational to keep citizens connected.
Max works similarly to popular messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp, allowing users to chat, make calls, send voice messages, and share files. However, many fear that the government’s persistent push for its adoption is an attempt to heighten online control and surveillance.
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Source: https://coingeek.com/internet-ban-under-14-mobile-limits-up-for-review-in-russia/
