The Internet in generation Z students’ life activities: comparative analysis of university and college students in Rostov Region

Introduction. The article shows student youth’s spheres of life activity, carried out by generation Z on the Internet. The communicative practices of student youth at the Internet environment, which became natural for the generation Z at the beginning of primary socialization, are being clarified. The article analyzes using the Internet in quantitative terms, the main forms of using the Internet, the Internet addiction, attitude to the information provided by the Internet. A comparative analysis was carried out on the listed positions between university and college students. Methods. The empirical base of the article is the results of a survey conducted among the leading universities and colleges of the Rostov region, as well as secondary sociological data. The theoretical and methodological body of the research is formed by the theory of generations and the theory of cyber-socialization. Results and its discussion. Modern students cannot imagine their life without using the Internet, which is a characteristic feature of generation Z. At the same time, the amount of time spent on the Internet differs somewhat depending on the level of educational preparation. The choice and consumption of Internet content also differs between students of universities and colleges, the former are more focused on searching for literature on their professional training. Almost complete unanimity was expressed by students regarding communication with friends, but some difference should be noted in the content of information received from the Internet. College students are less interested in socio-political information and, oddly enough, are much less likely to use the Internet for leisure activities.