Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Respondents’ attitudes towards draft evasion are moderately negative. The draft evaders themselves as well as their peers see no need to strengthen the measures to combat draft evasion.

MOSCOW, April 16, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to the military service evasion.

Telegram is among the least used messengers in Russia: only 12% of Internet users report to exchange messages via Telegram (78% of respondents use the network in total). Most of those who opt for this messenger service use it because their friends use it.

Most of the Russian Internet users (65%) have heard of the Court’s decision to block Telegram in Russia; at the same time, 21% are particularly interested in this topic.

The accessibility of Telegram on the Russian territory is not so important for 64% of the Internet users (including 43% of those who say “it is not important at all”). Twenty-four percent of respondents consider it is important for the Russian users to have access to this messenger app (this share is higher among those aged 18-24 (45%)).

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted in April, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

Do you use the following messenger apps?*

 (closed-ended question, one answer per each line, % based on Internet users’ answers)

 

Users

Non-users

Don’t know

Whatsapp

59

40

1

Viber

45

54

1

Skype

41

59

0

Google hangouts

17

82

1

Facebook messenger

15

85

0

Telegram

12

88

0

ICQ

3

96

1

* Survey conducted on April 13-14, 2018

 

Why did you choose Telegram?*

(closed-ended question, not more than 2 answers, % based on Telegram users’ answers)

 

% respondents

My friends use it

45

It is convenient

35

Because it guarantees data confidentiality

26

To read news channels

18

Other

15

Don’t know

2

* Survey conducted on April 13-14, 2018


Do you know/have you heard/do you hear for the first time that the Court delivered its judgment to block Telegram in Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users)

 

% respondents

Persons using the Internet almost every day

Persons using the Internet several times per week/per month

I know; I followed the news about Telegram

21

23

10

I heard something but I do not know any details

44

45

42

I have heard about it for the first time

35

32

48

*Survey conducted on April 14-15, 2018

 

Generally, is it important for you to keep Telegram accessible for the Russian users?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % based on Internet users’ answers)

 

% respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

Persons using the Internet almost every day

Persons using the Internet several times per week/per month

Very important

7

15

12

6

4

5

8

3

Somewhat important

17

30

15

14

18

15

16

19

Not very important

21

25

22

23

19

20

21

22

Not at all important

43

29

47

46

44

40

45

38

Don’t know

12

1

4

11

15

20

10

18

* Survey conducted on April 14-15, 2018

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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