Usage of Social Networks and Socialization of Russian Teenagers

Abstract

The article concentrates on the correlation between a measure of Russian teenagers’ socialization and the use of social media in their everyday life. Now a personal computer, a smartphone or other gadgets, providing an Internet connection, are a widespread attribute of the everyday life. Moreover, young people (sometimes defined as generation Z) regard their online presence (including social media) as a natural element of their lives. This said, the use of social media, on one hand, blends seamlessly with their attempts at (intimate) personal communication or academic/professional activity and can be a positive socialization factor at this stage of their life. On the other hand, there are voices saying that the intensity of online communication (‘excessive Internet use’) could create additional barriers for offline communication, have negative effects of their psychological well-being and hinder socialization of teenagers. The article contains arguments describing a low positive link between social media use (time spent, number of online friends, etc.) and socialization of Russian teenagers (measured with an index, based on several parameters: school performance, participation in academic competitions, in school governance, etc.). The conclusions are based on two online surveys (qualitative and quantitative one), conducted in 2020, and secondary analysis.