Introduction. In the conditions of the modern socializing environment, which acquires a virtual character and is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty, the problem of preparing future teachers for the formation of students' ability to self-determination is actualized. The purpose of our article is to analyze the difficulties that future teachers have in forming self-determination actions among students in a virtual socializing environment and substantiate the necessary changes in the content of pedagogical education. Methods. An online survey of 84 students of the Faculty of Primary School Teacher Training of the South Ural State Humanitarian Pedagogical University was conducted to identify existing competencies and difficulties in the formation of the ability of younger schoolchildren to self-determination. The method of content analysis of the content of 29 sample educational programs in pedagogical and psychological-pedagogical areas of higher education is used from the standpoint of reflecting in them the planned results of training future teachers to solve the problem of self-determination of the individual. Results. Dissatisfaction of 60% of students with the degree of readiness for the process under study was revealed, their difficulties were identified. The indicators of the orientation of educational programs to the formation of appropriate professional actions among students are determined. The lowest frequency coefficients of manifestation have indicators related to the skills of safe behavior and interaction with the subjects of the educational process in the world of virtual reality (0.1 and 0.06, respectively). A comprehensive solution to the problem of vocational training is proposed through integration with the processes of formation of critical thinking, functional and media-information literacy of students. Conclusion. The data obtained in the course of the study can be used to improve the process of preparing future teachers for professional activity, taking into account the opportunities and risks of a virtual socializing environment. This will ensure the formation of such educational actions among students as making a reasonable moral choice based on ethical norms; finding contradictions in the facts under consideration, recognizing reliable and unreliable information, etc.