Generation Z: ethical values in the problematic field of digitalization of culture

The multidimensionality and inconsistency of interpretations of moral values in modern society is considered in relation to a specific social group, which has received the designation Generation Z in sociology. The author uses the classic generational approach that has developed in the humanities. An analysis of the array of published empirical sociological studies allows us to determine the features of the formation of this generational community: network communication, spontaneous socialization, the emergence of a digital personality. At the same time, it is important to show how new values are expressed in people's behavior. The categories of freedom and responsibility act as fundamental for determining the social action of the individual. In rethinking the basic moral values, generation Z is characterized by a pragmatic approach in interpreting freedom primarily as an action, a practically conditioned reaction. In conditions of developed communication, consumption of an array of information, this action often serves as an imitation of activity. Attention is drawn to the predominance of intuitive mechanisms of moral choice, which shows a decrease in the overall level of reflexivity in moral actions and is a reflection of general social instability. Freedom and responsibility in the moral consciousness of generation Z are interpreted mainly in the aspect of self-realization, to a large extent, in an individualistic context.