A Study on the Use of Social Networks by Turkish and German University Students in the Globalization Process

Abstract

Today's rapidly evolving technology is expanding the use of innovative communication technologies and their usage areas. to traditional communication technologies today; smartphones, laptop computers, handheld computers, and tablets are also added. Wireless communication technology removes time and space limits, allowing people to communicate both voiced and visual whenever and wherever they wish. Every day, millions of people communicate with each other through social networking networks and share their experience day by day with other network users. The social networks that people often use are also affecting interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this research is to determine the aims of Turkish and German university students to use social networks and how effective social influence is in interpersonal communication. A total of 338 students, 236 Turkish students studying at Karabuk University and 102 German students studying at Kassel University in Germany, participated in the research in the academic year of 2016-2017. A questionnaire developed by Ozdayi (2010), which will reveal the use of social networks by students as a data collection tool, was used. The questionnaire contains 11 open-ended questions and 13 items of "social effect dimension" of social networks developed as Likert type. Percentages, mean and t test for binary comparison were used as statistical analysis in the study. According to research findings; all students have smartphones and they use whatsapp, facebook and youtube most from social networks. By students, social media is used to look at mails, homework, study, follow current events, read news, communicate with friends, make new friends, get informed about activities, share videos and photos and have fun. Also by students travel, shopping, technology and cinema blogs are the most preferred. In the survey, in the social dimension of social networks; there was no significant difference between the groups regarding "communication, self-expression, staying out of the group, becoming popular, joining groups, getting social environment, getting status in social environment and sharing". On the other hand, social networking has become an important means of communication and interaction among people today. For this reason, academicians should encourage students who are interested in new technology and communication applications to support the achievement of up-to-date information within the context of lifelong learning, and to conduct research for their own development in the teaching-learning process.