Lower Internet

Lower Internet (Russian: Нижний Интернет, romanized: Nizhny Internet) is an informal term for the Runet, the Russian-language segment of the Internet. Its content differs significantly from standard online content and often contradicts generally accepted norms of behavior. Representatives of the lower Internet are usually immoral individuals, mentally ill people, former prisoners, and people with alcohol or drug addictions.[1][2][3]

History

In the Russian-speaking world, no one has yet analyzed and systematized the division of the Internet among young people into "upper" and "lower" classification. At the same time, the concept of carnivalesque culture as imagined by Mikhail Bakhtin exists.[4]

Common features

The lower Internet consists of media resources that attract smaller numbers of contributors and audiences than the mainstream Internet. Its authors are primarily focused on creating products that interest them, without paying attention to audience size, number of views, or potential monetization.[4] It includes the demonstration of actions that are unacceptable to a wide audience.[5]

Audiences include people who do not share the values of the "upper" internet. They may be united by their dislike of the mainstream, their search for alternative views, a desire to shock others, or simply a desire to find "their own kind."

Content is provocative, including black humor, profanity, and conspiracy theories. The author of the content makes caustic statements and other things that are not typical of the mainstream internet.[6]

Lower internet platforms can include forums, anonymous imageboards, YouTube channels, and Telegram channels.

See also

References

  1. ^ Диянова, Дарья (2023-06-27). "Чем опасен «нижний интернет»?". wsem.ru. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  2. ^ "«Про уродов и людей». Что такое «нижний интернет» и как наркота, унижения и смерть в прямом эфире стали нормой". Super.ru (in Russian). 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  3. ^ Лапатин, Вадим (2025-03-26). "УНИЖЕНИЕ ИЛИ РАЗВЛЕЧЕНИЕ? ТРЭШ-СТРИМЫ КАК ГРЕХОВНОЕ НАСЛАЖДЕНИЕ «НИЖНЕГО ИНТЕРНЕТА»". Индустрии впечатлений. Технологии социокультурных исследований (in Russian) (1 (10), 2025): 279–308. doi:10.34680/EISCRT-2025-1(10)-279-308. ISSN 2949-1606.
  4. ^ a b "THE CULTURE OF THE "UPPER" AND "LOWER" INTERNET IN THE YOUTH ENVIRONMENT" (PDF). Ural Federal University Named After the First President of Russia. 2022.
  5. ^ Андреевич, Гнутов Олег; Владимировна, Рафикова Катерина (2023-10-31). "Феномен «нижнего интернета» в молодежной среде". XLIX Самарская областная студенческая научная конференция (in Russian). 2 (S): 296–297.
  6. ^ "Нужен ли сегодня «верхний» интернет? / Компьютерные и мобильные игры / iXBT Live". iXBT Live (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2025-07-13.

Further reading

  • Lapatin, V. A. (2025). Humiliation or entertainment? Trash streams as the sinful pleasure of the “lower Internet.” Industries of Experience. Technologies of Sociocultural Research (EISCRT), 1 (10), 279–308. https://doi.org/10.34680/EISCRT-2025-1(10)-279-308
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