Self-concept as an Activity Factor in the Social Networks of the Polytechnic College Students

The paper presents the results demonstrating the distinguishing features of interconnections between self-concept and the specifics of activity of polytechnic college students in social media. The distinctions of college students' self-concept were investigated. The marked components in the self-concept framework include "Active Self' and "Reflective Self', which is due to the strive of young people to understand their position and purpose in this world and because their perception of themselves as being unique and having their own potential is actualized. The paper considers the gender specifics of the self-concept framework, which shows a trend towards polarizing the self-image based on the traditional gender norms of young people at this age. It is shown that self-concept plays an important role in determining the activity pattern in social media. It has been established that such components of self-concept as "Material Self', "Communicative Self', and "Prospective Self' mediate realization of the need to communicate and expand social experience through social networks.