A. V. Kulminskaia, L. D. Zabokritskaya. Dynamics of Student Leisure Practices in the Sverdlovsk Region Amidst Digitalization: Monitoring Results (1995–2024)

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.26343.675-696
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/xbywgsISSN 2413-1407
УДК / UDC 379.8:004.4-057.875(470.54) ISSN 2587-8549

Abstract

Introduction. The widespread digital transformation of society leads to changes in traditional forms of leisure, replacing them with digital alternatives. These changes have a significant impact on student youth. The low controllability of such practices necessitates systematic monitoring of their prevalence, implementation, and potential consequences. The purpose of the article is to highlight the key trends in the transformation of the structure of student leisure in the Sverdlovsk Region, in the context of digitalization, based on long-term monitoring data (1995–2024).

Materials and Methods. The data were collected during the IX wave (March–June 2024) of the longitudinal monitoring project “Students of the Middle Urals” (implemented since 1995). A representative quota sample (n = 2 000) of third-year students from 12 universities in the Sverdlovsk Region was surveyed using an online questionnaire, stratified by gender and field of study (humanities, socio-economics, engineering and technology, natural sciences). A comparative analysis of the dynamics for nine waves was conducted using descriptive statistics, trend analysis and the χ² criterion (IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0).

Results. A significant shift has been observed from collective to individual – predominantly digital – leisure activities. Certain trends in content consumption have been identified, notably a growing preference for text-based or expert-driven content alongside declining engagement with visual entertainment formats. Paradoxically, awareness of forms of digital participation has increased even as direct engagement has sharply declined. There is an emerging need to develop educational programs and youth policies aimed at balancing online and offline activities, minimizing social isolation, and leveraging the potential of functional digital leisure (such as for self-development).

Conclusion. The systemic transformation of student leisure reflects broader societal digitalization and is characterized by “digital autism” (the avoidance of social interaction) and the construction of identity through digital achievements rather than interpersonal connections. A paradoxical rise in formal civic engagement points to a search for a sense of belonging amidst digital alienation – a trend likely reinforced by state policy. These findings will inform the development of educational programs and support measures aimed at harmonizing digital and real-world interactions within the student community.

Keywords: student youth, leisure, digital practices, monitoring study, Sverdlovsk Region, digital autism

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation No. 24-48-10012 (https://rscf.ru/project/24-48-10012/).

Acknowledgments. The authors express their gratitude to Yuri R. Vishnevsky, head of the “Students of the Middle Urals” monitoring project, and the members of the research team for their collaborative work on the monitoring, as well as to the reviewers for their attention to the article.

For citation: Kulminskaia A.V., Zabokritskaya L.D. Dynamics of Student Leisure Practices in the Sverdlovsk Region Amidst Digitalization: Monitoring Results (1995–2024). Russian Journal of Regional
Studies. 2026;34(3):675–696. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.26343.675-696

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About the authors:

Alina V. Kulminskaia, Cand.Sci. (Sociol.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Chair of Sociology and Technologies of State and Municipal Administration, Ural Fede­ral University named after the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin (19 Mira St., Yeka­terinburg 620062, Russian Federation), ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8538-938X, Researcher ID: QNZ-9837-2026, Scopus ID: 57226349508, SPIN-code: 6617-3557,
a.v.kulminskaia@urfu.ru

Lyubov D. Zabokritskaya, Cand.Sci. (Sociol.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Chair of Sociology and Technologies of State and Municipal Administration, Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin (19 Mira St., Yekaterinburg 620062, Russian Federation), ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4653-4409, Scopus ID: 57204024277,
zabokritskaya@urfu.ru

Contribution of the authors:

A. V. Kulminskaia – investigation; data curation; formal analysis; visualization; critical review.

L. D. Zabokritskaya – conceptualization; writing – original draft preparation.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

The authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 06.05.2025; revised 22.07.2025; accepted 06.08.2025.