The impact of social networks on the moral values of young people

The study examined the impact of deeply ingrained social networks on the moral values of young people. This process was exemplified by a social group of young people aged 15-29 living in Smolensk region. The research investigated the theoretical approaches to defining the terms ‘young people’, ‘social network’, and ‘moral values’. The theoretical basis of the analysis included the typology of values by the Russian sociologist N.I. Lapin and the social network theory by the Spanish researcher M. Castells. The study resulted in the novel types of young users of social networks. Besides, the author determined the distinctive features of the types of users under consideration and a set of their moral values. Their lifestyle and type of thinking were described as well.