Maria Lvova-Belova spoke about signs of children being involved in destructive online communities

MOSCOW, September 9 - RIA Novosti. Parents can understand that their child is involved in a destructive online community if the teenager’s behavior has changed dramatically, criminal slang has appeared, an interest in violent content has appeared, and he has also become secretive, said Maria Lvova-Belova, the Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights, a representative of the federal five “United Russia” in the State Duma elections.

Earlier, the children's ombudsman in an interview with RIA Novosti said that at the beginning of the school year, her office launched a cybersecurity course consisting of five video lessons for parents of schoolchildren.

In the fourth such video lesson, Lvova-Belova spoke about the involvement of teenagers in destructive online communities, namely that on the Internet, children often encounter groups in which participants, under the guise of friendship or challenges, can push them to crime. In this regard, the commissioner urged parents to pay attention to several points.

“Sharp changes in behavior. The child has become hot-tempered, aggressive or, on the contrary, withdrawn, detached, has lost interest in previous hobbies. Changes in speech. Words and expressions that are not typical for ordinary communication appear in the vocabulary: terms from criminal slang, phrases like “natural selection”, “bio-garbage”, “justification of violence,” said Lvova-Belova in a video lesson published on the Max platform.

In addition, the Children's Ombudsman noted, parents should pay attention to changes in the child's social connections. If he abruptly breaks contacts with old friends, with family, stops sharing what is happening in life, demonstratively moves away from the family, while new acquaintances appear that the child does not introduce to his parents.

"Stealth in the digital environment. The child sets passwords on devices and uses anonymous modes in the browser. He can avoid discussing what he does on the Internet, what groups he reads,” the commissioner added.

Lvova-Belova emphasized that the specific appearance of a child may also be a cause for concern, namely the case when a teenager begins to wear clothes, hairstyle, accessories or temporary tattoos with symbols that are associated with communities that promote violence, criminal and destructive behavior.

"Specific interests and actions. There is an increased interest in content with scenes of violence, suicide, and materials that romanticize or glorify destructive practices. Changing the value system. The child begins to devalue universal human norms and show disrespect for authorities. Sympathy may be shown for anti-heroes, ideas that oppose themselves to society,” said the children’s ombudsman.

According to her, to protect children, parents must create an atmosphere of trust and safety in the family without accusations, intimidation and threats.