The article substantiates the new role of social communication in the modern information and communication space. The author clarifies the limited use of the theory of "information society" in sociological discourse, proposing new approaches to defining the essence of social communication and its impact on the transformation of the world community. Analysis of modern research leads to the conclusion that it is necessary to pay attention to the content of communication processes in the activities of social institutions and emerging social practices based on the latest communication technologies, which will further strengthen the practical significance of sociological science in general. The multifaceted and multifaceted social phenomenon related to information and communication technologies that are changing rapidly is considered. The historical process of formation of ICP is analyzed, the first element of which was human language, as the first channel of social communication, which arose during the work of primitive people. The language channel of social communication is mentioned as an effective means of interaction in human relations. The study focuses on important functions of society, in particular: cognition and understanding, explanation and anticipation, self-expression and self-understanding, social cognition and influence, development of basic forms of relations in the human team, socialization, beliefs and others. At the same time, the main functions of social communication are considered: achievement of the set purpose; maintaining its internal structure in a dynamic and flexible state; adaptation to the external environment; the ability to change or even improve. The research revealed that human language in the information and communication space acts as a separate structural unit, and as a separate channel of communication

Information and communication space, social communication, information society, communication