On December 19, the Russian State Children's Library hosted the immersive performance Cyber Court. Children and their parents took on the role of experts, exploring the complexities of modern digital threats. The event was organized by the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ, with the support of the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment.
This performance was held as a traditional New Year event for participants in the Coordination Center’s educational projects, particularly the Explore the Internet & Govern It.
Determining who is right and who is wrong in such situations is a challenging task, especially when the issue involves not only real people but also digital voice assistants and fake social media accounts. Addressing online bullying, critically analyzing unverified information, and navigating the digital world are essential skills in today’s society, vital for both adults and new internet users alike.
The immersive performance, where each participant had the opportunity to voice their opinion and choose how to handle a difficult situation, was enjoyed by both children and adults. However, the project’s goal extends beyond holiday entertainment:
“The performance was not just a New Year’s gift for children, their parents, and mentors, but also a fun and engaging way to remind everyone, before the long holidays, about the importance of following basic safety and ethics rules online. It also highlighted that navigating the internet can be an exciting family experience,” said Viktoria Bunchuk, head of social projects at the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ.
The impromptu court hearing addressed three cases, each focusing on a different type of digital threat.
“Today, it is more crucial than ever to not only inform children and parents about digital threats but also to engage them in a conversation about how to properly respond to such situations. The play Cyber Court uses real-life cases – such as bullying, misinformation, and breaches of communication ethics – not only to explain what is happening in the digital world but also to teach how to navigate difficult situations. It’s essential that during events like this, children and parents learn to work together, share their perspectives, and develop solutions to make their online environment safer. This is especially important before the long holidays, when children often spend more time online, sometimes without adequate supervision or an understanding of the risks,” said Elizaveta Belyakova, Chair of the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment.
During the event, the organizers emphasized not only the importance of mutual respect in the digital world but also the value of positive communication in the offline environment.
All guests were given sweets and souvenirs featuring the Coordination Center’s logo and the Explore the Internet & Govern It project, including magnetic bookmarks for books as a reminder of the Russian State Children’s Library, which hosted the performance on this chilly pre-New Year’s day.
