During adolescence, he explained, peer groups often become a stronger social influence than parents, teachers and other adults. The difference today is that social networks play a much larger role in shaping group behavior. “Nowadays, unlike in the past, the modeling of group behavior usually takes place through social networks,” Igov said. In his view, state institutions, schools, parents and society have all failed in different ways to prevent the emergence of such groups. At the same time, he stressed that describing the teenagers as victims of broader social failures does not mean excusing their actions.