Features of the Formation of School Students’ Value Orientations in the Digital Environment

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of forming students’ value orientations in the digital environment as a new and powerful agent of socialization. Theoretical approaches to understanding the essence of values are generalized; values are considered as an integrated system of personally significant and socially determined orientations that perform a regulatory and motivational function. It is substantiated that the digital transformation of society leads to changes in traditional mechanisms of value transmission, strengthening the influence of social networks, online resources, and gaming environments on students’ worldview and behavior.

An empirical study conducted among students in grades 5–9 (150 respondents) demonstrated a high level of schoolchildren’s engagement in the digital space, where entertainment and communication practices prevail. It was found that despite the significant intensity of digital technology use, traditional values (family, health, friendship) remain dominant, while the values of the digital environment (popularity, recognition, gaming achievements) have a lower level of significance. At the same time, a tendency toward a shift in value orientations toward external approval, rapid gratification of needs, and a decrease in the role of educational and cognitive values has been identified.

The ambivalent nature of the digital environment’s influence has been proven: on the one hand, it contributes to the development of critical thinking, communication skills, and access to knowledge; on the other hand, it creates risks of superficial thinking, dependency, and distortion of value orientations. A correlation between the intensity of digital activity and the prioritization of certain values has been identified.

The necessity of implementing comprehensive pedagogical strategies aimed at developing media literacy, digital culture, and responsible use of digital resources is substantiated, which will ensure the formation of a harmonious system of students’ values in the modern information society.