Prevention of extremism in the youth environment. What is extremism? Article 282 of the Criminal Code

Prevention of extremism in the youth environment is one of the top priorities of the educational sphere and society as a whole. This is a complex socio-psychological problem, which in modern conditions has become relevant for all states of the world.

What is extremism?

To such concept, as extremism, the set of definitions (both scientific, and legal) is given. Despite the fact that this problem is on everyone's lips, a single term has not been formulated. For example, extremism is treated as a propensity for extreme measures and views with a large explanatory dictionary. Nevertheless, scientists agree that such a definition is very vague. The emphasis should be placed on the commission of unlawful acts.

When asked about extremism, Dr. Coleman and Dr. Bartoli respond somewhat differently. They believe that this is a person's activity, far from the generally accepted norms, adherence to strict forms of conflict resolution. Nevertheless, here there are some snags. The main difficulty lies in the definition of generally accepted norms, because for each state and society they can differ substantially.

What concerns extremist actions

Unfortunately, in international practice there is not only a single definition of the very term "extremism". There is also no unified description of the activity that falls under this description. But in order to prevent the prevention of extremism in the youth environment was effective, it is worthwhile to clearly understand what is to be fought. To determine the concept and its manifestations, it is worth turning to the legal documents. The Law on Countering Extremist Activity treats this concept as follows:

• Violent change of the provisions of the Constitution, as well as an attempt to violate the integrity of the state;
• Public justification of terrorist acts;
• Propaganda of social, racial and religious intolerance;
• Dissemination of ideas of human superiority on racial, religious or any other grounds;
• Violation of human rights and freedoms on the basis of race, religion or nationality;
• The obstruction of the legitimate activities of public services or religious organizations by threats or by force;
• Obstructing the participation of citizens in the electoral process by threats or by force;
• Propaganda of Nazi ideology, as well as public demonstration of its symbols and attributes;
• Mass production, storage and distribution of extremist materials; Public appeals for participation in extremist activities;
• Public false accusation of persons holding public office;
• Financing, organization and preparation of the actions mentioned above, incitement.

Factors of youth extremism

The fight against international extremism implies, first of all, work with young people as the most vulnerable category of citizens. In order for the activity to be effective, it is necessary to understand where young people come from with such ideas. So, among the factors of youth extremism it is worth noting:

• The influence of parents who differ in radical beliefs;
• The influence of a group of peers who are adherents of extremist views;
• Influence of authoritative persons who are in the circle of the adolescent's communication (teachers, heads of sports or creative sections, leaders of youth organizations, etc.);
• Stress, which led to disintegration in the society;
• Own ideas and moral attitudes;
• Personal psychological features (aggressiveness, suggestibility);
• Mental stress.

Main areas of work

At the moment, there is a growing threat of recruitment of young men and women by terrorist organizations. In this regard, the prevention of extremism in the youth environment should be carried out in the following areas:

• Close interaction of educational institutions with parents;
• The professional development of teaching staff on this issue;
• Inclusion in the educational program of individual subjects or topics related to the prevention of extremism;
• The introduction of educational programs concerning the moral upbringing of children and youth (prevention of crime, violence and homelessness);
• Continuous monitoring of the level of tolerance in society, and especially among young people;
• The analysis of the processes taking place in the youth environment, as well as their philosophical and sociocultural aspects;
• Ensuring access to cultural goods for young people;
• Realization of the need for self-realization and self-expression;
• Organization of leisure of students (volunteer projects, social programs).

Activities with different youth groups

Prevention of extremism in the youth environment should be carried out taking into account its heterogeneity. There are two main areas of work:

• With groups that have not yet developed extremist inclinations. Such young people, usually, voluntarily join in social work, as they do not have any aggressive or illegal moods. The task of prevention consists only in the consolidation of tolerant worldviews.
• With groups that have already formed extremist worldviews and beliefs. Such work is in most cases carried out forcibly, and therefore young people can be aggressive. It is important to find an individual, non-standard approach that will help establish a trusting relationship. The result should be the persuasion of a teenager, the rejection of extremist views and active inclusion in public life.

Risk group

Despite the fact that prevention activities should be conducted among all young people, there are some categories that are most susceptible to such influences. Having studied the list of extremists, it is possible to single out such groups of risk:

• Children from disadvantaged families with low income and social status, lack of education, as well as a tendency to various kinds of deviations (alcoholism, violence, drug use);
• The so-called golden youth, whose representatives, due to certain conditions, feel permissiveness and impunity, and also perceive extremism as entertainment or normal pastime;
• Adolescents, characterized by psychological problems, determining the propensity to aggression and inadequate reaction to certain events;
• Representatives of youth subcultures, informal groups and street companies characterized by aggressive behavior and deviant beliefs;
• Members of political movements and religious associations that, under the influence of certain ideas and beliefs, can carry out activities dangerous to society.

Key Objectives

Prevention of extremism should not be chaotic or spontaneous. It is important to carefully think through each stage and its details. The plan for the prevention of extremism should be aimed at the solution of the following important tasks:

• The application to adolescents and young people of attitudes about the need to respect and protect the rights of any citizen, as well as strict compliance with legislative norms;
• The formation in adolescents of an idea of the norms of behavior adopted in civil society;
• The message to parents of the importance of forming tolerant moods in the family;
• Creation of self-government cells in educational institutions that will carry out educational activities;
• Formation in the minds of youth of the certainty of the inevitability of punishment for extremist activity in any of its manifestations;
• The development of young people's skills of safe behavior and self-defense in the event of the threat of a terrorist act.

Main activities

A number of methodical recommendations have been developed, which describe recommended measures for the prevention of extremism. In school and other educational institutions the following actions are recommended:

• Establishment of interrelations and coordination of work with the commission on affairs of minors. Its employees should be involved in direct work with students, as well as participation in parental meetings.
• Organization of courses for pedagogical staff on the prevention of extremism. Round-table discussions or discussions on this subject can be held for students of secondary and higher educational institutions. At the same time, it is necessary to participate in them representatives of law enforcement agencies.
• To spend a class hour "Prevention of extremism and terrorism" in school. In the course of these activities, legal norms and responsibility for their violation should be considered. Attention should also be paid to fostering respect and tolerance among pupils for other cultures, nationalities, religions, beliefs.
• Regular holding of parental meetings, which will consider not only organizational issues, but also issues of education of law-abiding citizens.
• Developing a system whereby students or their parents can apply for the protection of their legitimate rights and interests, if they are infringed.

Work with parents

It's no secret that the basic beliefs and personal qualities are formed precisely under the influence of the family. Therefore, the work on prevention of extremism in the school should involve close contact with parents. Prior to them, the following information should be delivered:

• Specificity of youth subcultures and informal organizations, as well as their potential danger;
• The degree of responsibility of parents for the crimes of minors;
• Forms of aggression, as well as the prevention of their manifestation in adolescents;
• Mechanisms for involving children in extremist activities;
• Determination of the age of criminal liability for offenses, as well as a description of possible penalties;
• The essence of such concepts as "terrorism" and "extremism";
• Specificity of formation of a vital position and beliefs at teenagers;
• The need for employment of adolescents (circles, sections and other forms) during after-hours.

A responsibility

A person who has reached a certain age, established by law, may be involved in both administrative and criminal activities for extremism. Article 282 of the Criminal Code provides for liability for the following acts:

• Humiliation of human honor and dignity;
• The incitement of hatred or hostile feelings towards individuals or their group;
• Organization of extremist communities;
• Organization, coordination and maintenance of such communities.

The main problem with working with children and adolescents is that many feel their impunity. Nevertheless, in certain cases, even minors are held to account for extremism. Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation implies the conviction of persons under 18 years of age for posting videos on the global network, as well as any other documentation of a propaganda nature with scenes of violence or appeals to it. Articles 243-244 imply the responsibility of minors for the destruction of historical and cultural monuments, as well as outrages over burial places and bodies of the deceased. Punishment can be expressed in a large monetary penalty, correctional labor or imprisonment.

Counteraction and self-defense

Of course, the theoretical basis is important. Nevertheless, it is important to tell young people how extremist activities in Russia are manifested in practice. Examples of such situations, as well as actions for prevention and self-defense are given in the table:

Such practical examples or even reconstructions of situations are simply necessary. Prevention of extremism in the school should be aimed not only at preventing the formation of such sentiments among young people. It is also important to inform young people about the information that will help them to survive in an extreme situation.

Approaches to preventive work

Extremism, as a threat to national security, forces preventive work not only with the adult population, but also with children and young people. This work can be carried out in accordance with such approaches:

• Dissemination of information about the danger of extremism and organizations professing it. This approach is used most often. It implies programs to educate youth through civil actions or distribution of printing materials. Given that this approach is not the most effective, it can only be considered as an additional one.
• Affective learning is aimed at eliminating problems with the expression of feelings and emotions. This is important both in terms of the formation of life experience, and the release of negative and positive energy. Receiving an emotional discharge, the teenager becomes less aggressive, which reduces the risk of forming radical inclinations.
• The influence of social factors can not only prevent the emergence of extremist ideas from the adolescent, but also contribute to this. In this regard, one of the approaches is based on conducting trainings, during which the training of resistance to public pressure is conducted.
• The formation of life skills is an approach based on the methods of behavioral modification. The main teenage problem is the desire for self-affirmation and an adult way of life. Thus, there is a need to provide young people with courses and trainings that will enable them to form the necessary life beliefs and skills that will protect the impact of negative trends that are developing in society.
• Involve adolescents in activities that are alternative to extremist activities. This approach was developed by A. Kromin. He suggests organizing hikes with overcoming obstacles, directing the activity of adolescents in sports or creative activity, creating groups to uphold an active civic position.

Conclusion

The program for the prevention of extremism should primarily affect children, adolescents and young people. It is this layer of society that is most susceptible to the influence of such radical ideas, which is due to the fragile psyche and the lack of a firm vital position. Undoubtedly, work in schools and other educational institutions is important, but we should not forget about the role of the family in this process. In this regard, teachers and law enforcement officers should conduct regular preventive talks with parents.