Lawmaker proposes web blackout for Russians
Russians should be forced off the internet on weekends or even entire weeks, Nikolay Arefyev, an MP with the Russian Communist Party (KPRF) has proposed. Doing so would have a positive impact on people’s health, he argued.
The legislator floated the idea on Thursday while speaking to the news outlet Abzats. While acknowledging the importance of the internet for work and easy access to information, Arefyev argued that it should be restricted for extended periods of time.
“The internet currently does more harm than good,” the MP stated. “The thing is, it seems to me that 70% of the internet is used to harm one’s own health, because people sit there for hours, days, years, ruining their eyesight and nerves.”
The lawmaker also lamented “gaming addiction” that is plaguing “millions of people.” Many end up in mental institutions due to playing games, Arefyev claimed.
“Therefore, we probably need to shut [the internet] down for weeks at a time, or [do it] on weekends so people can rest,” he suggested.
Arfeyev’s remarks have prompted fears of an imminent internet shutdown on Russian social media. The concerns were addressed by Arefyev’s fellow MP and a member of the parliamentary committee on informational policy, Anton Nemkin, who explained that his statements did not reflect the official position of the legislature and that no plans to switch off the internet exist.
“The internet today is not only about communication and entertainment but also about work, education, healthcare, government services, and commerce. It’s effectively the infrastructure without which economic and social development is impossible,” Nemkin told Russian media.
Having faced a social media meltdown, Arefyev somewhat walked back his remarks, accusing Abzats of misrepresenting his statements.
“The idea was to shut down the internet for at least an hour a day so people don’t strain their eyes and brains. Journalists are simply making words up. I wasn’t suggesting completely depriving Russians of the ability to work online, but simply giving them a break,” he told the outlet Info24.
