Online-risks and user activity in Russian adolescents: Comparing results from 2010-2019 Russian population studies

INTRODUCTION: Internet provides wide opportunities not only for development, but also for developmental risks including information about drug consumption, advocacy for weight loss and suicide (Livingstone et al., 2011). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare user activity and online risks in Russian adolescents and parents according to three population studies, 2010, 2013, and 2019. METHODS: Using EU Kids Online methodology (Livingstone et al., 2011), the data of 1219 parents of adolescents 12-17 years old and 1553 adolescents 12-17 years old from 15 regions of Russia in 2019 were compared with the data of 1203 adolescents 12-17 years old and 1209 parents in 2013, as well as the answers of 685 couples “parent - teenager 12-16 years old” in 2010. RESULTS: Compared to 2010, in 2019 adolescents are more frequently disappointed or worried about something online (41.5% versus 33.6%, χ(2)=12.44, p<.01, CC=.07). Contemporary adolescents rarer report having seen sexual images (χ(2)=339,48, p<0,01, CC=0,36) online but more frequently report having seen rude actions online (χ(2)=69,93, p<0,01, CC=0,16). They more frequently see information about drugs and suicides (χ(2)=37,11, p<0,01, CC=0,12 и χ(2)=85,04, p<0,01, CC=0,17, respectively) and report an experience of cyberaggression (χ(2)=80,85, p<0,01, CC=0,19) and fraud (χ(2)=17,75, p<0,01, CC=0,09). CONCLUSIONS: In Russian sample online risks in adolescents closely related to mental health and risky behavior in 2010-2019 increase suggesting necessity of social programs of risk prevention. Study is supported by Russian science Foundation, project 18-18-00365. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Study is supported by Russian science Foundation, project 18-18-00365.