Peculiarities of socialization of the digital generation of Ukraine in modern conditions

Abstract

The article examines the specific features of the socialisation of the younger generation in Ukraine under the conditions of full-scale war. It identifies several major transformations, including the changing roles of socialisation agents, marked by the declining influence of the family and educational institutions and the growing importance of social media; the widespread shift to online education; and the distinctive characteristics of today’s digital generation of school and university students. The principal features and consequences of each of these challenges are analysed, alongside a review of major studies by Ukrainian scholars addressing the specificities of digital socialisation.

The study demonstrates that the relocation of key socialising domains into virtual environments has fundamentally transformed the socialisation of the digital generation. For many people, the digital environment has become an anchor of psychological support in highly adverse circumstances, functioning as a coping mechanism that helps alleviate anxiety and creates a sense of safety. At the same time, the necessity of remote learning, communication, and interaction has accelerated the acquisition and use of digital safety tools.

However, the virtual environment also constitutes a potentially traumatic factor in the socialisation process, as the wartime information space is saturated with misinformation, hate speech, and disturbing content. Digital socialisation therefore entails a range of risks, including increased digital exposure and the proliferation of diverse forms of content that may conflict with socially accepted behavioural norms and values.