Social media communities as a source of sociological information

The article is devoted to the possibility of exploring communities in electronic social networks, which in a broad sense represent social groups. According to the author, such studies play a significant role in understanding the dynamics of modern society. This analysis helps to identify new trends and patterns, as well as to develop recommendations for the optimal use of social networks in educational, cultural and other contexts. Social networks also influence the formation of public opinion and political processes. They provide an opportunity to quickly disseminate information and interact with a large number of people, which can lead to a change in the behavior and values of society. The author attempts to consider the factors of joining groups in social networks: - the social need for belonging; - the individual ‘s desire to reduce the feeling of loneliness; - the social appeal of anonymity; - functionality and development of electronic social platforms for interaction between people; - visualization of remote communication; - the opportunity to create an image of your “I” for a certain community. The article examines the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of social groups from the point of view of their relationship with electronic social networks, classification from the point of view of sociological science, and also assesses the possibility of applying classical methods of sociology to the study of the modern embodiment of a social group — a community in an electronic social network. In addition, the author of the article suggests the possibility of using social media communities as a source of sociological information to solve a wide range of public issues.