Juku-Kalle Raid argues that even if the internet were completely shut down in Russia, it would not lead to panic or unrest among the populace, contrary to Western expectations.
In an article by Juku-Kalle Raid published in Postimees, the author addresses the recent reports of growing internet restrictions in Russia, particularly in Moscow, where authorities are cutting off mobile internet to tighten control over internet usage. The disruptions are reportedly causing significant economic damage, amounting to billions of rubles, and affecting public services, raising concerns among Western media about the potential for unrest among youth in the country. However, the author challenges this perspective, suggesting that such restrictions are unlikely to elicit the kind of panic and civil discontent that some in the West seem to expect.
Raid critiques the naive views prevalent in Western journalism, which assume that a shutdown of internet access would automatically trigger a backlash from a generation perceived to be addicted to their devices. He points out that such a notion overlooks the complexities of the situation in Moscow, where any visible discontent is often carefully managed by the Kremlin. The article underscores a growing disconnect between Western interpretations of Russian society and the realities experienced by its citizens.
Ultimately, the commentary serves as a reminder to the West that the dynamics of public response in Russia cannot be interpreted solely through the lens of digital dependency. If mobile internet access were to be cut off, it might not spark the desired wave of unrest; instead, it could reinforce the authority of the state, as Russian citizens have learned to navigate and adapt to varying levels of control over their lives.
