Dynamics and structure of youth preferences in the information space of the Republic of Crimea

Abstract

The article actualises the issues of information security in the conditions of transformations of the media space in the regions of Russia (on the example of the Republic of Crimea). Attention is focused on the preferences of young people regarding the sources of obtaining and usage the information received. The main contours of preferences in the choice of information source are determined. The specificity of the choice of information sources typical for young people in the Republic of Crimea is shown. In addition to the Internet, an important source of information for regional youth is direct social contacts and personal communication. In the list of Internet sources, social network information resources have an advantage. It is proved that the information preferences of young people and older generations do not always coincide. For this purpose, the results of sociological studies conducted in 2018-2020 in the Republic of Crimea (before and during the coronavirus pandemic) are presented. Studies have shown that it is distance learning and self-isolation that are factors undermining the existing system of social relations, social subordination and social control. Particular attention is paid to the study of the manifestation of youth interest in information sources of extremist content. The gender and age structure of those interested in Internet sources of extremist content has been revealed. Despite the fact that the identified "risk groups" are relatively small, they significantly increase the likelihood of participating in various kinds of informal organisations, including those of a radical nature. The problem is exacerbated by the secrecy and vagueness of the existence of such groups that function in the information space as flexible and combinatorial social formations capable of rapid structural change and renewal. As the results of the research showed, the tendency of young people to “leave” into the virtual space was intensified by the factor of social isolation and the introduction of forms of distance learning, that contributed to the erosion of strong social ties and their replacement with weak ones (in accordance with the terminology of network analysis theory). It is shown that the state and society in the interests of ensuring internal stability and security, should, undoubtedly, must seriously take into account the processes of transformation of the media space, where a significant proportion of the activity of today's youth is transferred.