Metropolitan students' e-culture: gender aspects

The processes of informatization and digitalization of modern society actualize the formation of electronic culture among the most active socio-demographic groups, students being one of them. The purposeoftheresearchistoanalyzethegenderaspectsofthemetropolitanstudents' electronicculture,which is associated with the biased influence of masculinity/femininity, as well as the territorial factor on social and cultural processes. We understand E-culture as a communication activity and the results of this activity based on a set of certain norms, values, skills, and competencies. Based on a specific sociological study, it is revealed that there is a certain degree of gender differentiation among the metropolitan students in the process of electronic culture formation, which is manifested in gender differences in the structure of content and information competencies. A significant share of respondents tend to make purchases on the Internet, but boys are more likely to purchase entertainment, educational and specialized content and are willing to spend more money on them than girls. Girls most often make purchases on the Internet, if they do not find an analog for free; in other cases they do not make purchases at all. The authors emphasize that the majority of students act as content consumers, although young men are somewhat more likely than girls to become not only the users, but also the ICT creators. The authors come to the conclusion that it is necessary to take into account gender specifics when implementing the programs for the development of students' information competencies. In this case the possibilities of electronic resources that are designed to facilitate our lives will be more efficient.