Based on the data of a sociological study of students of the Ogarev Modovian State University, the attitude to destructive practices in the digital space is revealed. Based on the calculated indices of approval of violence and the level of loneliness, their influence on attitudes to destructive practices in the digital space, as well as risk groups, is determined. The level of awareness of students about destructive communities that exist both real and virtual, about legal responsibility for certain offenses, the level of involvement in youth associations, leisure practices are measured. It is concluded that the process of involvement in destructive communities, practices in social networks among young people is often associated with problems of communication with their peers, with problems in the family. The reasons for the participation of young people in destructive communities, students note mental disorders, problems in relationships with adults, conflicts in the family, inner loneliness, the desire to unite with someone. Interest in certain destructive communities can develop as under the influence of a virtual mechanism, i.e. social networks themselves that distribute destructive content, as well as under the influence of specific social, macro- and microfactors, life reasons that can speed up the inclusion process.