Elena A. Kolosova

Svetlana N. Mayorova-Shcheglova

The article presents three stages of the development of the sociology of childhood: from the study of children within the framework of sociological approaches to socialization theories and then to the gradual formation of a “new” sociology of childhood. The need to revise the periodization of childhood in the social sciences, which should be based on new facts, phenomena, features of children’s activities, especially those related to informatization processes and consumer practices, is argued for. The prospects of the professionalization of the community of Russian sociologists of childhood in technologies and methods of research of the new generation are outlined. Specific directions for research of phenomena related to childhood are specific to Russian sociologists, but they affect the daily life of the entire adult society (parental-children and, more broadly, social relations in families with children born with the use of new reproductive technologies, consumer socialization of children, “glamorization” of cildhood, “informatization from the diapers”, etc.). The actual tasks of the Russian sociology of childhood are discussed: the activation of public, integrating activities for the realization of the rights of the child and educational work with a community of new specialists. Priority tools are identified using Internet technologies with the active participation of children themselves.