The urgency of the research problem is conditioned by the active processes of informatization of society and education, which have changed the paradigm of modern education. The problem of research lies in the fact that in connection with the emergence of a large number of new social services and networks, teachers and students have wide opportunities to use them in the educational process, but not always teachers and students are able to use them correctly. The article presents an analysis of the directions of the use of social services and Internet networks in the teaching, educational and extracurricular activities. The theoretical basis of the research was the methodology of pedagogy and pedagogical studies, works on the informatization of education, pedagogical studies on the use of ICT tools in educational activities. The following theoretical methods were used: theoretical-methodological and scientific-theoretical analysis of literature on the problem under study. As a result, the main opportunities for using social networks in the process of education and upbringing were revealed, specific examples were given for teachers and students on their use. It was concluded that the use of social networks in the process of learning can stimulate the development of the creative abilities of students, their cognitive interest, and also increase the motivation for learning activity.