DIGITALIZATION OF SOCIAL LIFE – AN AREA FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

The article focuses on the development of digital technologies and their impact on a person. The purpose of the article is to study the emergence of such a phenomenon as schizophrenia in the digitalized space. Objectives of the study: 1) to consider the features of digitalization; 2) to study schizophrenia in the context of digitalization. Research methods: the phenomenological method allowed us to distinguish such a type of schizophrenia as digital schizophrenia; the use of observation and analysis methods helped to establish the impact of the development of communication technologies on a person, his or her life and formation; the method of psychoanalysis is aimed at establishing the formation of the real “I” in the virtual space and the discrepancy between the real ‘I’ and the created differently named (multiple) virtual “I”. In this context, it is worth noting that schizophrenia in digital space has several features: 1) a systematic search, a desire to obtain the latest digital tools (gadgets) for communication; 2) a desire to be an active participant in social networks; and 3) to constantly maintain one's participation in social networks through various posts, popularization of one's own selfies, etc. It is established that under certain conditions the digitalization of social life causes concern in the process of the formation of the Self, in particular, the emergence of digital schizophrenia. It is proved that schizophrenia in a digitalized society acquires new, previously not studied aspects. As modern digital technologies used by society are changing not only communication but also creating new forms of interaction. In view of this, it is substantiated that modern digital environments, social media, in particular, and the constant flow of information, have an impact on the psychological state of people, especially those who already have a tendency to mental disorders. It is proved that the digitalization of society creates both new challenges and new opportunities. In this context it is important to use technologies with caution. According to the analysis, it can be assumed that the development of digital technologies and the digitalization of social life has an impact on the human psyche and is one of the causes of the mental illness of digital schizophrenia as a complex social phenomenon of our time.