The Duma Commission to Investigate the Facts of Foreign Interference in the Internal Affairs of Russia will study whether the current legislative measures are sufficient to protect children and adolescents from negative foreign influence through social networks. The head of the commission Vasily Piskarev told the journalists about it.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew attention to the need to protect minors from the threats to their lives and health posed by the Internet.
“Unfortunately, recently we have seen more frequent attempts to influence our younger generation through foreign social networks,” Piskarev noted. He recalled the massive calls for participation in unauthorized protests, which targeted teenagers. Another example is the facts of involving young people in drug use via the Internet.
"Now there is very alarming information that videos are being distributed on a popular media resource pushing children to commit suicide," the parliamentarian continued. "This issue is now being dealt with by law enforcement agencies."
The commission, according to him, has already begun to actively study the question of whether the existing legislative measures are sufficient to protect children and adolescents from such influence. Along with the deputies, representatives of relevant departments, the Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child, and social activists are participating in the elaboration of this topic.
In addition, the commission sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs materials confirming foreign participation in the involvement of children and youth in illegal activities. The foreign ministry said earlier that they are waiting for these data. Moscow will provide international organizations with information on support for protest actions in Russia from abroad, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a meeting of the commission on February 10.