VIRTUALIZATION OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROBLEM OF PERSONALITY INFANTILIZATION

Objective of the study: to determine the role of virtualization of social communication in the process of infantilization of personality. The methodological basis of the study is an interdisciplinary approach, as well as theoretical developments of Russian and foreign scientists in the field of understanding the phenomenon of social infantilism. The results of the study. As a result of scientific and technological progress and the lockdown period in 2020, the process of transition of social communication to virtual space has intensified, which may lead to the formation of a new social picture. Also, the transition to social communication in the online space increases infantilization by reducing the internal locus of control and responsibility to the participants of communication. Prospects of the study. The problem of virtualization of social communication is of scientific and practical interest due to the fact that this process increases the infantilization of the individual, which carries risks that complicate growing up and forming a mature individual. In addition, an immature individual in the future can become a role model who will not be able to convey genuine values.