Development Trends of Intercultural Communication in Social Networks

The purpose of the study is to reveal the peculiarities and trends of the development of intercultural communications in the context of the specifics of the space of social networks at the current stage. Research methodology. The method of comparative analysis is applied (to consider the interaction of cultures in the traditional space and the space of social networks); analysis of open sources of information, which are information resources on the Internet (to identify the mechanisms of formation of cultural borders, as well as their overcoming). Scientific novelty. The specifics, forms, and functions of intercultural interaction in social networks have been studied; the nature and trends of the development of intercultural communications in social networks at the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century have been revealed. Conclusions. Modern network communications (especially social networks) are a universal socio-cultural mechanism that arose as a result of the genesis and functioning of culture in interaction with social parameters, in which the use of information and communication technologies creates conditions for easy overcoming of cultural boundaries. Social networks, which are represented by web applications that allow people to interact with each other, provide an environment for sharing all types of content created by other media tools. They are an effective tool for the development of intercultural communication, as they provide a person with the opportunity not only to communicate freely, but also to discover intercultural values for yourself and easily adapt to them. Social media tools that cultivate cross-cultural communication are expanding and diversifying every day. In addition to the usual use of Facebook and other similar popular applications, many users communicate through microblogs and new applications. Because of the organic development of social networks, the concept of sustainable intercultural dialogue was formed: users get the opportunity to solve their own problems within the boundaries of another culture quite effectively, make friends faster, follow various events in a certain socio-cultural space, to be a part of cultural values, and to adapt. 
Key words: intercultural communication, social networks, applications, communication, intercultural dialogue, intercultural adaptation.