The Impact of the Digital Sphere in Russia on Young People’s Awareness of Human Rights
Chapter from the book: Altınsoy, Z. D. (ed.) 2025. Russia and International Human Rights Law: Norms, Violations, Reactions.

Gökhan Dönmez
Bitlis Eren University
Emiliya Uzun
Bitlis Eren University

Synopsis

This article examines the impact of the digital sphere on the development of human rights awareness among Russian youth. It addresses the role of social networks and online platforms in acquiring knowledge about rights, as well as their function in shaping value orientations and legal consciousness. Particular attention is paid to the effects of state regulations and restrictions, algorithmic content filtering, and the phenomenon of information being perceived in a “fragmented/clip-style” manner. The analysis compares the Russian experience with trends in Europe and Central Asia, highlighting differences in access to information, legal literacy, and levels of youth participation. The study demonstrates that the digital sphere simultaneously creates both opportunities and constraints: while young people gain access to global human rights norms, they also face challenges related to fragmented information and the necessity of developing strategies to critically understand and protect their rights. The article emphasizes that the contemporary digital environment fosters a distinctive form of civic maturity in which human rights are perceived not merely as legal categories but as practical experiences within the online reality.

How to cite this book

Dönmez, G. & Uzun, E. (2025). The Impact of the Digital Sphere in Russia on Young People’s Awareness of Human Rights. In: Altınsoy, Z. D. (ed.), Russia and International Human Rights Law: Norms, Violations, Reactions. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1140.c4694

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Published

December 30, 2025

DOI