THE CRIMINOGENIC IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS ON MINORS: VICTIMOLOGICAL AND PREVENTIVE ASPECTS

Abstract

This article examines the problem of juvenile delinquency in social networks and messengers, as well as the specifics of their involvement in illegal activity in the context of the rapid development of digital communication. The purpose of the article is to identify criminogenic factors inherent to social networks and messengers, as well as to identify key areas for preventing crime and victimization of minors in the digital environment. The methodological framework of our research comprises general-scientific and special-scientific methods: analysis of scholarly literature, the formal legal method, comparative analysis, generalization of law enforcement practice and a systems approach to the study of preventive measures. Particular attention is paid to such factors as anonymity, accessibility of unlawful content, operation of closed groups, manipulative influence on adolescents and the use of messengers to recruit minors into criminal activity. The study concludes that social networks and messengers possess a dual nature: on the one hand, they serve as a means of socialization and communication for adolescents; on the other, they create conditions for their criminalization and victimization. The necessity of a comprehensive approach to the juvenile crime prevention is substantiated, encompassing general and social, specifically criminological, individual victimological measures. It is concluded that effective prevention is possible only through coordinated interaction among families, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, psychological services and public organizations.