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

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, criminological, and victimological characteristics of cyberbullying that lead children and adolescents to suicide, assess 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 regulatory 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 practices. The authors argue for clarifying certain criminal offenses, developing interpretative guidance by higher judicial authorities, strengthening preventive measures—including digital literacy programs and the development 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.