IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ON THE FEELING OF SAFETY OF A PERSON IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

ВЛИЯНИЕ ЦИФРОВЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ НА ЧУВСТВО БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ ЧЕЛОВЕКА В ГОРОДСКОЙ СРЕДЕ

Дементьева Дарья Юрьевна

магистрант, кафедра «Механики грунтов и геотехники», Московский государственный строительный университет (МГСУ),

РФ, г. Москва

Тарабарина Юлия Алексеевна

научный руководитель, старший преподаватель, кафедра «Кафедра иностранных языков и профессиональной коммуникации», Московский государственный строительный университет (МГСУ),

РФ, г. Москва

ABSTRACT

The publication explores how digital innovations shape the subjective sense of security experienced by urban dwellers. It focuses not only on the capabilities of devices and networks but also on how residents psychologically perceive them. It demonstrates that technology can reinforce feelings of safety through enhanced manageability of the city; yet it may simultaneously provoke anxiety due to constant monitoring, data leak risks and reliance on complex infrastructure. The author concludes that a perceived sense of security is determined more by trust levels, digital literacy of citizens and transparency in urban policies than by the mere presence of new systems.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В публикации рассматривается, как цифровые инновации влияют на то, насколько комфортно и защищено чувствует себя человек в городе. В фокусе не только потенциал оборудования и сетей, но и их психологическое восприятие жителями. Продемонстрировано, что технологии могут усиливать чувство безопасности благодаря лучшему управлению городской средой, однако одновременно они способны провоцировать тревогу из‑за тотальным контролем, угроз утечки данных и зависимости от сложной инфраструктуры. Автор делает вывод, что субъективное ощущение защищенности зависит не столько от наличия новых систем, сколько от уровня доверия к ним, цифровой грамотности населения и прозрачности городских практик.

Keywords: digital technologies; smart city; personal safety; perception; cyber resilience; social sustainability; civic participation; psychological sense of security; digital literacy; trust.

Ключевые слова: цифровые технологии; умный город; субъективная безопасность; восприятие; психологический комфорт; цифровая грамотность; доверие.

The relevance of this study is driven by the rapid dynamics of digital transformation, which necessitates an analysis of the latest scientific data (including works from 2025–2026) dedicated to urban environment resilience and the psychological well-being of residents [1; 2; 3; 4]. In the context of the modern metropolis, safety is determined not merely by objective protection but also by how individuals perceive their surroundings [5]. For the city-dweller, what matters is not simply the presence or absence of real threats, but the feeling that the environment is predictable, comprehensible, and controllable. Consequently, the sense of security emerges as a psychological phenomenon grounded in personal experience, levels of trust, and the perception of the urban environment [3; 6].

The methodological foundation of this study comprises a comparative analysis of contemporary “Smart City” concepts and a secondary analysis of sociological survey results presented in recent international publications from 2024–2026 [1; 2; 3; 4; 7].

Contemporary digital tools have substantially transformed urban life. Closed-Circuit Television, mobile services, emergency alert systems, navigation applications, smart traffic lights, and sensors monitoring utility infrastructure manage urban space and ensure rapid response to incidents. Therefore, digitalization is frequently regarded as an enhancement of security [3; 6; 7; 8].

Nevertheless, the mere presence of innovations does not guarantee that individuals will feel secure [4; 7]. Technologies can reduce anxiety when they create an impression of orderliness, yet they can equally induce tension if associated with external surveillance and unclear operational principles. Consequently, digital security possesses a dual nature: while increasing the manageability of the urban environment, it can simultaneously become a source of anxiety [7; 8].

The manner in which people appreciate the digital environment is largely determined by levels of trust and technological literacy. When city-dwellers understand how services function, what information is collected about them, and how they can protect themselves, their attitude towards new platforms becomes more composed. Conversely, a lack of information intensifies feelings of dependence and helplessness [2; 4]. Social factors also play a significant role: transparency in decision-making, opportunities for feedback, and resident participation in discussions about urban technologies strengthen trust and alleviate tension [2; 3].

The risks of digital transformation must not be overlooked. The greater the city relies on complex infrastructure, the more severe the consequences of technical failures, data breaches, and cyberattacks are. For the ordinary citizen, this represents not only the probability of actual harm but also an intensification of perceived instability [8].

When familiar mechanisms malfunction, the sense of security diminishes sharply.

Ultimately, the impact of digital innovations on the perception of security is ambiguous. They are capable of reinforcing feelings of order and protection; however, in the absence of trust and transparency, they may provoke anxiety [2; 3; 7]. Therefore, in the digital city, security must be understood more broadly than merely providing protection from hazards: it encompasses trust in institutions, transparency of governance mechanisms, and the individual's ability to maintain control over the environment in which they live [2; 4; 8].

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