UDC: 351.85:316.77:004.738.5
https://doi.org/10.25198/2077-7175-2025-3-149
THE PHENOMENON OF DIGITAL PATERNALISM AS A FACTOR IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF STATE YOUTH POLICY
S. V. Polyakov
Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia; Technological University named after twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Pilot-cosmonaut A.A. Leonov, Korolev, Russia
e-mail: svpolyakow@ya.ru
Abstract. The relevance of this research is determined by the radical transformation of youth communication environments due to digitalization, which reduces the effectiveness of traditional mechanisms of state youth policy and requires conceptualization of new forms of interaction between the state and the younger generation. The aim of the study is to provide a theoretical understanding of the digital paternalism phenomenon as an innovative model of state youth policy and to analyze practical mechanisms of its implementation in modern conditions. The methodological framework includes socio-philosophical analysis, synthesis of neopaternalism concepts, platform capitalism and algorithmic governance, as well as institutional analysis of specific mechanisms for implementing digital paternalism. The research results identify key challenges that digitalization poses to traditional tools of state influence on youth: changing communication channels, transformation of youth community formation principles, declining trust in formal institutions, and changes in cognitive processes of the younger generation. The phenomenon of «digital paternalism» is conceptualized as a mechanism of state interaction with youth through integration into popular digital ecosystems. Its essential characteristics are highlighted: delegation of paternalistic functions to digital platforms, masking of state presence, adaptation to youth digital culture, and creation of an illusion of free choice. Based on the cooperation between government structures and the VKontakte social network, specific mechanisms for implementing the new model are identified: integration of state services into digital platforms, gamification of state initiatives, algorithmic promotion of content, and creation of «trendy» youth movements with state support. The scientific novelty lies in the conceptualization of «digital paternalism» as a qualitatively new stage in the evolution of state youth policy, synthesizing elements of traditional paternalism with the capabilities of digital platforms and algorithmic governance. The practical significance of the research consists in identifying specific mechanisms for implementing digital paternalism that increase youth engagement, reduce negative perceptions of state initiatives, and optimize state resources. Promising directions for further research include studying the potential for implementing artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and blockchain technologies in digital paternalism tools, as well as analyzing the social consequences of transforming models of civic activity and forms of social control. For the full realization of digital paternalism’s potential, it is recommended to ensure transparency of influence mechanisms, address ethical issues, and overcome digital inequality.
Key words: digital paternalism, state youth policy, digital transformation, digital platforms, gamification, social networks, neopaternalism.
Cite as: Polyakov, S. V. (2025) [The phenomenon of digital paternalism as a factor in the transformation of state youth policy]. Intellekt. Innovacii. Investicii [Intellect. Innovations. Investments]. Vol. 3, pp. 149–160. – https://doi.org/10.25198/2077-7175-2025-3-149.
References
- Borisko, O. A., Yachmennik, K. V. (2018) [Digital space of youth policy (case of Krasnodar region)]. Sotsial’no-politicheskie issledovaniya [Socio-political research]. Vol. 3, pp. 47–64. – https://doi.org/10.20323/2658-428X-2022-3-16-47-64. (In Russ.).
- Danilov, S. A. (2012) [Risks and potential of Internet socialization of youth]. Izvestiya Saratovskogo universiteta. Novaya seriya. Seriya: Filosofiya. Psikhologiya. Pedagogika [Proceedings of Saratov University. New series. Series: Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy]. Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 42–46. (In Russ.).
- Komleva, V. V. (2023) [Clip thinking: reflections on adaptation to changing reality]. Rossiya: obshchestvo, politika, istoriya [Russia: society, politics, history]. Vol. 2, pp. 84–97. – https://doi.org/10.56654/ROPI-2023-2(7)-84-97. (In Russ.).
- Kolmakov, V. V., Polyakova, A. G., Polyakov, S. V. (2025) Behavioral finance explanation of retail investors’ approach to portfolio design. Finance: Theory and Practice. Vol. 29. No. 1, pp. 133–145. – https://doi.org/10.26794/2587-5671-2025-29-1-133-145. (In Russ.).
- Kulakova, T. A., Luk’yanova, G. V., Volkova, A. V. (2022) [From economic paternalism to digital control]. Problemy sovremennoi ekonomiki [Problems of modern economics]. Vol. 1, pp. 79–83. (In Russ.).
- Mazitova, D. O., Raikhlina, A. V., Zinov’eva, A. N. (2023) [Youth policy as an object of digital public administration of the region]. Biznes. Obrazovanie. Pravo [Business. Education. Law]. Vol. 1, pp. 148–153. – https://doi.org/10.25683/VOLBI.2023.62.570. (In Russ.).
- Polyakov, S. V. (2024) [Dialectics of transparency and opacity in digital society]. Issledovanie innovatsionnogo potentsiala obshchestva i formirovanie napravlenii ego strategicheskogo razvitiya : sbornik nauchnykh statei 14-i Vserossiiskoi nauchno-prakticheskoi konferentsii s mezhdunarodnym uchastiem [Research of the innovative potential of society and formation of directions of its strategic development: collection of scientific articles of the 14th All-Russian scientific-practical conference with international participation]. Kursk: ZAO «Universitetskaya kniga», pp. 219–224. (In Russ.).
- Polyakova, A. G., Kolmakov, V. V., Mirzabekova, M. Yu. (2019) [Network analysis of the organization of socio-economic processes]. Nauchno-tekhnicheskie vedomosti Sankt-Peterburgskogo gosudarstvennogo politekhnicheskogo universiteta. Ekonomicheskie nauki [Scientific and technical bulletin of St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University. Economic sciences]. Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 60–73. – https://doi.org/10.18721/JE.12305. (In Russ.).
- Poskakalova, T. A., Sorokova, M. G. (2022) [Digital socialization of young adults: trends and tendencies in communication]. Tsifrovaya gumanitaristika i tekhnologii v obrazovanii (DHTE 2022) : Sbornik statei III Vserossiiskoi nauchno-prakticheskoi konferentsii s mezhdunarodnym uchastiem [Digital humanities and technologies in education (DHTE 2022): Collection of articles of the III All-Russian scientific-practical conference with international participation]. Eds. V. V. Rubtsov, M. G. Sorokova, N. P. Radchikova. Moscow: Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, pp. 331–343. (In Russ.).
- Rubinshtein, A. Ya. (2019) [Why some theories do not receive recognition, while others are successful: «Merit paternalism» by R. Musgrave and «Libertarian paternalism» by R. Thaler]. Ekonomicheskii zhurnal Vysshei shkoly ekonomiki [Economic Journal of the Higher School of Economics]. Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 345–364. – https://doi.org/10.17323/1813-8691-2019-23-3-345-364. (In Russ.).
- Ustinovich, E. S. (2018) [From «paternalism» to «interaction»: transformation of relations between government and Russian society in the context of digital development]. Konstitutsionnoe i munitsipal’noe pravo [Constitutional and municipal law]. Vol.1, pp. 32–36. (In Russ.).
- Chernykh, S. I., Borisenko, I. G. (2021) [Digital educational environment – the main trend in the transformation of education]. Filosofiya obrazovaniya [Philosophy of education]. Vol. 21. No. 3, pp. 5–17. – https://doi.org/10.15372/PHE20210301. (In Russ.).
- Shinkarenko, E. A. (2018) [Digital socialization of youth as a factor in the formation of regional activism]. XXI Ural’skie sotsiologicheskie chteniya. Sotsial’noe prostranstvo i vremya regiona: problemy ustoichivogo razvitiya : materialy Mezhdunarodnaya nauchno-prakticheskaya konferentsiya [XXI Ural Sociological Readings. Social space and time of the region: problems of sustainable development: materials of the International scientific-practical conference]. Yekaterinburg: University of Humanities, pp. 463–465. (In Russ.).
- Castells, M. (2010) The Rise of the Network Society (2nd ed.). Oxford : Blackwell, 656 p. (In Eng.).
- Katzenbach, C., Ulbricht, L. (2019) Algorithmic Governance. Internet Policy Review. 2019. Vol. 8. No. 4. – https://doi.org/10.14763/2019.4.1424. (In Eng.).
- Mills, S. (2025) The Gamification of Citizenship. Scottish Geographical Journal. No. 1, pp. 1–8. – https://doi.org/10.1080/14702541.2025.2454033. (In Eng.).
- Srnicek, N. (2017) Platform Capitalism. Cambridge: Polity, 120 p. (In Eng.).
- Sunstein, C. R. (2014). Nudging: A very short guide. Journal of Consumer Policy. Vol. 37. No. 4, pp. 583– 588. – https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-014-9273-1. (In Eng.).
- Walzl, M. (2017) Digital Paternalism. About Software and Its Impact on Human Decisions. Munich : GRIN Verlag, 72 p.