Over 300 cases of child recruitment via the Internet have been recorded in Ukraine: the Rada is preparing new legislative decisions

The number of cases of recruitment of minors via the Internet is rapidly increasing in Ukraine. As of today, law enforcement officers have already recorded 325 such cases, and the youngest child who was tried to be involved in illegal activities is only 11 years old.

This was reported in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, emphasizing the need to strengthen the legislative protection of children in the digital environment as soon as possible.

Where are children most often recruited

According to the parliament, attackers use online platforms and social networks popular among children for recruitment, in particular:

TikTok;
Instagram;
Telegram;
online games, in particular Roblox.

The Verkhovna Rada notes that the scale of the problem already requires a comprehensive response at the legislative level.

The threat is not only in recruitment

The parliamentarians draw attention to the fact that the danger of the digital environment is not limited to attempts to involve children in illegal activities.

Prolonged use of the Internet without proper control can lead to the development of Internet addiction, psychological exhaustion, depressive states, deterioration of physical health, and loss of interest in learning and real communication.

European experience will be used

Specialists of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada analyzed the approaches of European countries to protecting children on the Internet.

As noted in the parliament, many states already have restrictions on the use of social networks by children under 15–16 years of age or are being developed.

Ukraine also plans to develop comprehensive legislative changes that should strengthen the digital safety of minors.

What changes are proposed

The Verkhovna Rada believes that effective protection of children is possible only under the joint responsibility of all parties.

In particular:

parents should monitor and accompany children in the digital environment;

the state should create effective legal mechanisms for protection;
social networks and online platforms — to implement modern security tools and prevent the use of their services to recruit minors.

The parliament expressed hope that the upcoming bill on digital safety of children will receive support from all parliamentary factions and will be adopted in the near future.