Cyberbullying as a factor in driving minors to suicide: criminal law and criminological analysis

Abstract

The article examines cyberbullying against minors as a significant factor contributing to suicidal behavior in
the context of the digitalization of Kazakhstani society. The authors aim to identify the criminal law, crimino
logical, and victimological characteristics of cyberbullying that lead children and adolescents to suicide, as
sess the effectiveness of the current legal framework, and outline directions for improving legal responses.
The methodological framework of the study is based on dialectical and systemic approaches and includes
methods of analysis and synthesis, formal-legal and comparative-legal methods, statistical analysis of official
data, content analysis of judicial practice and media materials, as well as case studies of high-profile suicides
linked to online harassment. The findings indicate that the prevalence of suicides and suicide attempts among
minors in the Republic of Kazakhstan demonstrates the systemic nature of the problem and that cyberbullying
poses a qualitatively greater social threat than traditional bullying. The study establishes that the existing reg
ulatory framework creates a multi-level model of protection; however, its implementation is hindered by
fragmented regulation, the high level of underreporting of cyberbullying, and weak law enforcement practic
es. The authors argue for clarifying certain criminal offenses, developing interpretative guidance by higher
judicial authorities, strengthening preventive measures—including digital literacy programs and the develop
ment of psychological support services for children—and enhancing interagency coordination. The article
concludes that effective counteraction to cyberbullying is possible only through a combination of repressive,
preventive, and educational mechanisms.