Law and Social Media: Freedom of Speech and Cyberbullying

On February 25, 2026, at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, a curatorial hour on the topic «Law and Social Media: Freedom of Speech and Cyberbullying» was conducted under the supervision of Senior Lecturer of the Department of Russian Philology and World Literature, Ospan A.O. The event was attended by third-year students of the educational program «6B02312 - Russian as a Foreign Language».

The event was organized with the aim of increasing students’ legal literacy, fostering responsible use of social media, and preventing cyberbullying and offenses in the digital environment.

The main objectives of the event were:

• To explain the legal foundations of freedom of speech;

• To familiarize students with the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of Internet communication;

• To develop an understanding of the legal consequences of cyberbullying;

• To promote safe and ethical behavior online.

During the event, issues related to the legal regulation of freedom of speech, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as its limits and restrictions under current legislation, were discussed.

Students were informed about liability for spreading false information, defamation, insults, and other unlawful actions in the online space in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Special attention was paid to the concept of cyberbullying, its types, causes, and possible psychological and legal consequences. Typical cases of online harassment and action algorithms in identifying such situations were analyzed.

A discussion was also held on the relationship between freedom of speech and legal responsibility. Students analyzed case studies, identified elements of offenses, and determined possible measures of liability.

During the curatorial hour, students demonstrated strong interest in the topic and actively participated in discussions and case analyses.

The objectives of the event were successfully achieved. Students expanded their knowledge in the field of legal regulation of Internet communication and recognized the importance of complying with legal norms and ethical standards when using social media.