Communication and adaptation practices for cognitively gifted alpha generation children in augmented social reality

Relevance. The article examines communication practices and adaptation strategies of cognitively gift­ed Alpha generation children in augmented social reality. The relevance of the study stems from rapid digi­talization and the need to understand new adaptation forms for children with high cognitive abilities, whose communication strategies emerge at the intersection of online and offline interactions. Despite growing interest in digital transformation, the specifics of gifted children's adaptation in augmented social reality remain understudied, constituting the research problem.

Purpose is to identify features of communication practices and adaptation trajectories of cognitively gifted children in augmented social reality, while determining factors that facilitate or hinder their suc­cessful integration into hybrid social spaces. The methodological framework employs augmented social reality theory, with empirical data drawn from expert interviews with educators, psychologists, and digital socialization specialists from Belgorod and Moscow regions (2025). Thematic analysis was applied for data processing.

Results reveal dual effects of augmented social reality: digital platforms expand educational opportu­nities and create alternative social circles, yet simultaneously risk hyper-specialization of interests, digital overload, and emotional burnout. Regional disparities were identified - technological inequality in Belgorod versus information overload in Moscow. Key adaptation barriers include algorithmic "filter bubbles" and deficits in offline communication skills.

Conclusions emphasize the need for hybrid educational programs, measures to reduce digital inequal­ity, and inclusive environments balancing online/offline activities. The study's practical significance lies in proposing frameworks for educational and social policies supporting gifted children amid digital trans­formation. This research contributes to childhood sociology and digital studies while opening avenues for interdisciplinary investigations of giftedness in the era of augmented social reality.

1. Ivanov, D.V. Augmented Modernity: The Effects of Post-Globalization and Post-Virtualization / D.V. Ivanov // Sociological Research. – 2020. – No. 5. – Pp. 44–55. Text : direct.

2. Ivanov, D.V. A New Approach to Assessing Social Development / D.V. Ivanov // Sociological Research. – 2021. – No. 1. – Pp. 50–62. Text : direct.

3. Mufazalov T. Why do parents in the Republic of Tatarstan choose to send their gifted children to single-sex boarding schools? / T. Mufazalov, Ja. C. Bansell, Sh. Sheymardanov // Education and Self-Development. – 2025. – Vol. 20, No. 1. – P. 42-53. – DOI 10.26907/esd.20.1.04. Text : direct.

4. Mayorova-Shcheglova, S. N. Growing Up of Children with Different Health Levels: A Socio­logical Analysis of Events / S. N. Mayorova-Shcheglova, O. V. Besschetnova, and A. Yu. Gubanova // Bulletin of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Series: Sociology. – 2024. – Vol. 24, No. 4. – Pp. 992-1012. – DOI 10.22363/2313-2272-2024-24-4-992-1012. Text: direct.

5. Aityshova, Zh. T. Features of Development and Problems of Gifted Children / Zh.T. Aityshova // International Journal of Humanities and Natural Sciences. – 2024. – No. 5-2(92). – Pp. 35-37. – DOI 10.24412/2500-1000-2024-5-2-35-37.

6. Filipova, A. G. Malakhova V.R. Educational Vloggers: Analysis of Quantitative Characteristics / A. G. Filipova, V.R. Malakhova // Digital Society: Sociological Measurement of the Present and Future: Collection of Conference Materials. – Moscow: ROS, 2024. – Pp. 485-490. Text: direct.

7. Ananchenkova, P.I. Problems of Ensuring the Quality of Education in the Context of Modern Socio-Economic Challenges / P.I. Ananchenkova, O.A. Volkova, E.M. Efimova // Labor and Social Relations. – 2021. – Vol. 32, No. 3. – Pp. 88-102. – DOI 10.20410/2073-7815-2021-32-3-88-103. Text : direct. Text : direct.

8. Lipai T. P. Mass Media in the Formation of Values and Stigmas among High School Students / T. P. Lipai, O. A. Volkova, O. A. Zhilenkova // Sociological Studies.

9. Ivanov, D. V. The Third Integrative Wave in the Development of Sociology. Part 2. Theories and Methods for Augmented Social Reality / D. V. Ivanov // Sociological Research. – 2024. – No. 7. – Pp. 23-36.

10. Mayorova-Shcheglova, S. N. On the Initiative, Independence, and Activity of Children in Modern Russia / S. N. Mayorova-Shcheglova, S. V. Tetersky // Sociological Research. – 2025. – No. 4. – Pp. 117-122. – DOI 10.31857/S0132162525040104.

11. Filippova, A. G. Educational Vlogging through the Eyes of Schoolchildren and Teachers: Anal­ysis of Empirical Data Using MAXQDA Software / A. G. Filippova, I. N. Bukhtiyarova // Sociology. – 2023. – No. 5. – Pp. 71-77. Text : direct.

12. Volkova, O. A. Problems of Professional Identity and Marginality of Individuals and Social Groups / O. A. Volkova // Izvestiya of the Volgograd State Pedagogical University. – 2007. – No. 3(21). – Pp. 45-48. EDN KCLHUJ. – Text: direct.