The Evaluation of Social Sharing Nets Users’ Fundamental Principals According to Nickname Usage and Time Spent ()
1. Introduction
These changes and differences cause positive and negative changes in human life, since the fact that information technologies are much more involved in our daily lives than before, makes it inevitable for people to build new forms of communication that result in some learning that did not exist before and bring new behavior patterns and to gain new life habits [1] , such technological changes restructure human relations and create new employment areas that emerge with new types of communication.
According to the study organized by Chan, C. and Virkki, J. (2014) [2] , about sharing personal information on social networks defines that the answers see the Internet as a part of the real world; the privacy that you have on the Internet is the privacy that you have in the real world.
According to a study conducted by the Department of Psychology at Gothenborg University on a thousand students, it was found that those who follow the lives of others on/social networks/Facebook compare their own lives with those of others, causing depression. Lief Dent, an expert in the research group, likens this to a fake lifestyle and revealed that what people share on social networks is the most fun picture and time spent. In this virtuality, people do not have the opportunity to learn about the real lives of others and to learn about undisclosed negativities. The feeling of jealousy originating from the internet regarding the lives of others is one of the main problems affecting humanity in recent years [3] . Excessive use of social networks and technology in this context in pre-adolescence and adolescence periods; It is believed to cause anxiety, depression and other psychological conditions [1] .
According to another study by Oxford University, it was stated that social networks such as Twitter and Facebook cause identity crisis in young people aged 13 - 19. It is thought that those who constantly share pictures or images of others and themselves on these networks are trying to give the message “Be careful, this is me” to others. Professor Baroness Greenfield [4] head of the research group, emphasizes that when friendships multiply and expand in networks, our brains are somehow structured via electrical wires. Why would anyone feel the need to intrude into the privacy of others, to monitor their daily lives? This is exactly what little children always say to their mothers; It is similar to the sentences “Mom, look what I’ve done?/Mom, look, I can do this too”. According to experts, if you spend most of your time on social networking sites, you will be faced with attention deficit, distant happiness and non-verbal communication.
Today, social networking sites are almost a kind of social mass media and many scientists apply their research through these tools, reach new findings and obtain new data. In this way, those who use such sharing networks can come together with many social groups and pages and become quite large masses, moreover, they come together in real life and make many activities or protests [5] . The research problem of this study was thought such as “What are the fundamental principles of social network users according to nickname usage and time spent?” On the other hand sub problems are “*Does the fundamental principles of social sharing net users show meaningful difference in terms of the use of pseudonyms/nickname use? *Does the fundamental principles of social sharing net users show meaningful difference in terms of time spent?”
Purpose of the Study (Problem Status)
The aim of this study is to be informed about the positive and negative effects of social networking sites, which are a part of our lives, their effects on people’s attitudes, behaviors and social relations, the place of individuals in their lives, the process people spend their time with, and information sharing with parents and educators. At the same time, data will be collected and evaluated on the need and justification for using pseudonyms in all these processes. Based on all these reasons, it is thought that this study is very important and will create important data in solving the problems of using social networks that go beyond the purpose.
Facebook/Social Sharing Sites
These sharing networks in general; Facebook has been defined. This technology has created such a structure over time that; Students, educators, and the unemployed in universities now use it as a way and method of self-identification in most countries. It has probably reached an avalanche of users around the world. It is a social network and allows people to communicate with their friends and share information. Known to have been founded on January 4, 2004, Facebook was originally intended to serve Harvard University students. Then, in a very short time, it created a structure that can reach all email addresses. Users have started to join many different groups where they work, live or study and even develop a sense of belonging to those groups [6] . As a result, Facebook or social network has become an open social system that keeps people busy all over the world, including Türkiye, and people are affected in every situation [7] . This open system has almost swallowed the whole world together with its contents. Everyone started to pull each other out of there, even to define and gain knowledge. Because everyone researches each other’s past, thought, lifestyle and environment in this way. It can be said that it has transformed into an institution that issues registry reports instead of prosecutors’ offices. According to Tech Runch, about 85% of students in the United States have a Facebook account, and 60% of them log into the system on a daily basis. 85% are online every week and 95% every morning. Chris Hughes, known as the spokesperson of Facebook, states that Facebook users hang on their networks for an average of 19 minutes every day [6] . According to the information obtained from the same site, there are more than 40 million users in Türkiye. It is stated that approximately 65% of these users are male and 35% female [8] .
Nickname and Usage
Nickname; the names that individuals use instead of their real names, and perhaps their nicknames in folk language. We know that the use of pseudonyms, which are also referred to as pseudonyms, nicknames, nicknames and code names, is quite common, especially in the tradition of minstrelsy in folk literature and among poets in divan literature. We can say that the use of nicknames has social, psychological, cultural images and contexts. In the tradition of minstrelsy in folk literature, the use of pseudonyms by the minstrels is related to the fact that they are more effective on the audience and listeners, and the perception that the owner of the name wants to evoke and create. At the same time, reasons such as easy saying and remembering can be mentioned. The pseudonyms were either given by the poet or the poet himself, or by the master who trained him. This situation continues in the same way. But there is no virtuality or privacy here. The nickname is given in a similar way. Nicknames are in the form of an image that will reflect any pleasant or hateful attitude and behavior, character of the owner. Codes are also used in a mathematical sequence or to prevent the real name from being revealed in secret works. Similarly, the nickname is used in situations that require hiding the real identity. Pseudonyms used on social networking sites have similar, and undoubtedly much more complex, reasons. More social and psychological reasons are predominant. We can state that the person’s dislike of his real situation may be related to the expectations that arise due to privacy, social status and social roles.
2. Method
In this chapter; The research population, sample, data collection tool, reliability, validity study and data analysis were specified. In this study, descriptive method was used. Thus, individuals’ Facebook usage knowledge, attitudes and behaviors were evaluated according to the variables of time spent on these sharing networks and use of pseudonyms. In other words, using the scanning model, conceptual and theoretical information was collected and the theoretical/academic dimension of the study was created. The questionnaire and questionnaire items, whose validity is tried to be ensured by being presented to the expert opinions of the faculty members of the Educational Sciences Department of the Faculty of Education of Kafkas University, is an anonymous questionnaire that has been used in various researches before. The questionnaire used to collect data for this study has 5 multiple-choice and rated options. On the other hand it has variables such as the use of pseudonyms and the time spent online on Facebook/social sharing nets. The options are ranked from positive to negative. Therefore negative options have higher scores. Five of the survey items determine the Facebook usage information, and the others determine the Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors of the users. A total of 29 questions/items were directed to the defined participants.
Research Problem
“What are the fundamental principles of social network users according to nickname usage and time spent?” On the other hand sub problems are “*Does the fundamental principles of social sharing net users show meaningful difference in terms of the use of pseudonyms/nickname? *Does the fundamental principles of social sharing net users show meaningful difference in terms of time spent?”
Data collection tool
The questionnaire, which is a data collection tool, has 5 multiple-choice and rated options, and has variables such as the use of pseudonyms and the time spent online on Facebook. The alternatives of the questionnaire are “I strongly disagree, I slightly disagree, I somewhat disagree, I strongly agree, I slightly agree, I somewhat agree.” The options are ranked from positive to negative, and therefore negative options have higher scores. Five of the survey items determine the Facebook usage information, and the others determine the Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors of the users. A total of 39 questions/items were directed to the participants.
Evaluation of Data
In the research, it was examined whether there was a significant difference by looking at the average and ranking totals of the data obtained with the use of pseudonyms and the time spent on Facebook/social sharing net.
Universe and Sample
In the study, the study group of 66 Facebook users whose average age is above 18 and all other users at this age can be expressed as the research population.
Assumption and Limitations
It was assumed that the volunteer participants in this study evaluated the questionnaire items of their own free will and within the framework of their experiences. Considering that the age of Facebook user has decreased to 5 or even below in the study, reaching the age of 18 and above is the most limiting situation. The sample group reached is also limited to the answers given by the individuals and the statistical analyzes made.
3. Application
Evaluation of Data
As it was defined in the evaluation of data section before, the data handed were evaluated with the help of SPSS statistical program. At the end of the evaluating proses “mean rank” and “sum of rank” were looked at to understand if the significant level was meaningful or not. In other word, in the research, it was examined whether there was a significant difference by looking at the average and ranking totals of the data obtained with the use of pseudonyms and the time spent on Facebook/social sharing net.
NOTE: Top data is nickname usage and bottom data is related to Facebook/social sharing net usage period.
In this table (Table 1) the variables are nickname usage and the time spent for sharing net. When we looked at the data in this table, participants using pseudonyms had to choose negative options. Because the rating is from negative to positive, and that was why the number of people who used pseudonyms here was much less, but they were almost close to each other in points. For example, the last negative options; 4-Rarely and 5-Never, nearly 4 and 5 points. Therefore no significant relationship was found at the p: 0.05 level between Facebook usage knowledge and pseudonym use (p: 0.05 < 0.945).
On the other hand, with the dimension of the time spent by the participants in their networks so far; In terms of sharing networks usage information, no significant difference was found between them at the level of (p: 0.05 < 0.921). Here, too, it can be thought that users may have used time from past to present for similar reasons, perhaps for a longer period of time, depending on age or the degree of accessibility to technology. However it can be said that those who used the social network for 1 - 5 years were in an effort to get to know new people, while users of social networking sites for 6 years or more did not tend to get to know new people.
When the table values (Table 2) were examined, no statistically significant relationship was found between the participants’ use of nicknames to enter social networking sites and their network usage information. Therefore, it can be said that the difference is not significant at the p: 0.05 level (p: 0.05 > 0.525). Within the framework of the information obtained from the participants, it was understood that those who do not use a pseudonym on Facebook use Facebook more for leisure and entertainment purposes than those who use pseudonyms.
When the table values were examined in terms of sharing network usage time,
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Table 1. I use the social network to meet new and different people.
there was no significant and significant difference between users in terms of network usage information (P: 0.05 < 0.166). However, it can be thought that the difference with the size of the time spent is more important in terms of using or not using pseudonyms. Users who used Facebook for 1 - 2 years used the social networking network more for entertainment purposes compared to longer-term users.
When the table data above (Table 3) was examined, it was observed that the usage purposes of the participants who used social networks were very close to each other, whether they used a pseudonym or not. It can be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.984). It was understood that the majority of the participants used Facebook to make more friends. Therefore it could be said that there was no statistically significant difference between the participants using and not using pseudonyms in terms of
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Table 2. I use Facebook for leisure and entertainment purposes.
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Table 3. I use social networks to make more friends.
social networking usage information.
Likewise it can be said that there is no significant difference between the users in terms of the time spent by the users in this process in terms of Facebook usage information (p: 0.05 < 0.804). Studies have revealed that those who used Facebook for 1 to 4 years used the social networking network to have more friends compared to users who used it for 5 - 6 years.
Table data observed in this table ( Table 4) that there was a significant difference between the participants who used pseudonyms and those who did not, with the dimension of Facebook usage information. P: 0.05 > 0.032. The number of participants using pseudonyms was 9. The number of non-users was 57. Probably this difference was related to the preferred options. As it was understood 9 participants who used pseudonyms preferred mostly negative options. The mean values seemed to be close to each other as a percentage because negative options have higher scores. However, the number of other participants were quite high and they probably preferred more positively weighted options. Those options had slightly lower scores. However the difference between them was found to be significant. It could be said that; Those who used pseudonyms and those who did not had different reasons with regard to Facebook usage information. While the options related to the questionnaire items were ranked in order since they were ordered from positive to negative, negative options had higher scores. 1-Always: 1 point, 2-Frequently: 2 points, 3-Sometimes: 3 points, 4-Rarely: 4 points, and 5-Never: 5 points. It can be said that those who did not use nicknames on Facebook use Facebook more for gaming than those who used pseudonyms.
There was no significant difference between the total Facebook usage time dimension and the users’ Facebook usage information. Because it turned out to be, 0.354 > p: 0.05. Therefore, it can be said that the total time spent in terms of Facebook usage information did not make a significant difference. The fact that
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Table 4. I use Facebook for gaming.
the time used in total does not make a difference was in terms of users.
In terms of responses to the option “I use Facebook to communicate and chat” in table data (Table 5) and on the basis of Facebook usage information, there was no significant difference between those who use pseudonyms and those who do not. 0.635 > p: 0.05. As it was said when interpreting the previous table values, it can be thought that those who prefer the yes option prefer negative options and those who do not use positive options. According to the data in the table, participants who used pseudonyms on Facebook use Facebook more to communicate and chat than those who did not use pseudonyms.
When the table values were examined in terms of duration of use in Facebook/social networking sites, there was no significant difference in terms of duration of use of social networks. Obviously, here too, numerically fewer participants preferred the negative options with high scores, and more participants preferred the positive options with low scores. It could be thought that the reason why the relational closeness and the resulting difference were meaningless might have arisen from this (0.660 > p: 0.05). Again, the table values showed that those who had just started using Facebook used the social networking network more for chat purposes than those who used it longer.
The Relationship Between Facebook Attitudes and Behaviors According to Whether You Use Pseudonyms and Facebook Usage Period.
When the table values below (Table 6) were examined, the idea of “It is necessary to be friends with people you do not know on Facebook” was evaluated similarly between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms. Because the level of significance of the resulting difference; 0.627 > p: 0.05. As in the other table data the number of people using pseudonyms was 9 and it could be thought that the options preferred by the participants in this group are negative options with higher scores. However, as with the others, the remaining participants who did not use pseudonyms were 57 people and focused on the positive
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Table 5. I use Facebook to communicate and chat.
options which were probably lower in scores. According to the data in the table it was understood that participants who used nicknames on Facebook tended to be friends with people they did not know on Facebook compared to those who did not use nicknames.
Similarly, there was no significant difference in terms of time spent on social networks and Facebook/social networks usage, attitudes and behaviors. Because of 0.956 > p: 0.05. Although according to the participants spent different time periods, it can be said that their reasons were similar. As it was seen in the table values it was understood that those who had just started using Facebook were more likely to make friends with people they did not know in the Facebook social network than those who used it for a longer time.
According to the questionnaire item; “It is necessary to make friends with people we know on Facebook” and table values (Table 7) there was no statistical
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Table 6. It is necessary to be friends with people you do not know on Facebook.
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Table 7. It is necessary to make friends with people we know on Facebook.
significance in the dimension of those who used nicknames and those who did not use nicknames (0.311 > p: 0.05).
On the other hand in terms of time spent on Facebook use, there was a significant difference between Facebook usage, attitudes and behaviors of the participants, contrary to the other table data, at the p: 0.05 level. Because of 0.007 < p: 0.05. Participants who used Facebook for 5 - 6 years tended to make friends with people they know less on Facebook than those who used it for a shorter time. Then, it could be argued that the time spent using social networks had a significant relationship with the attitudes and behaviors developed by the participants. It can be said that there might be different approaches to make friends with people known on Facebook, and therefore, the participants might have spared time for this work within the framework of their own possibilities and opportunities.
When it was looked at the table data (Table 8) there was no significant difference between Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors between the participants who used pseudonyms and those who did not use pseudonyms in terms of the statement “It is necessary to meet face to face with someone who is met for the first time on Facebook” (0.712 > 0.05). It could be said that; not all of the participants determined their Facebook usage, attitudes and behaviors according to using or not using pseudonyms. However, although the number of users using pseudonyms was 9 and it could be said that they preferred more negative options since they achieved a higher score of 35.28. In other words, those who used pseudonyms argued that it was possible to meet face-to-face with someone whom they met for the first time on Facebook. Those who did not use pseudonyms object to it to some extent. N = 9, Mean Rank = 33.22 (35.28 > 33.22).
When the table values were examined in terms of duration of Facebook usage
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Table 8. It is necessary to meet face to face with someone who is met/meet for the first time on Facebook.
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Table 9. Do you need to accept friend requests from people you don’t know?
and Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors no significant difference was found (0.600 > p: 0.05). Here, too, the average values obtained by 2 people who have a usage period of 5 - 6 years are close to the others; shows that these people preferred negative options (users) with high scores. It could be said that others had made their preferences in a wider range.
When looking at the table data (Table 9) of “Do you need to accept friend requests from people you don’t know?” In terms of the answers given to the question, it was able to understand that there was no significant difference in terms of Facebook/social networking sites usage attitudes and behaviors between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms. Presumably, both those who used pseudonyms and those who did not answer the question for similar reasons. Because the level of significance of the resulting difference was, 0.783 > p: 0.05. As in the other table data, the number of people using pseudonyms appeared to be 9 and it could be thought that participants using pseudonyms tended towards negative choices. However, as with the others, the remaining participants who did not use nicknames were 57 people and preferred positive options with lower scores. It was observed that among the participants, those who used pseudonyms were more inclined to accept friend requests from those they did not know than those who did not use pseudonyms.
Similarly, there was no significant difference in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of total time spent on social networks. Because of 0.783 > p: 0.05. Although the participants used different time periods overall, it could be said that their reasons were similar. The table data revealed that those who used Facebook for 3 years are more likely to reject Facebook requests from people they did not know than those who used it for 5 years.
When the above table (Table 10) values were examined; “Should you have friendly online chats with someone you don’t know much in real life and you know on Facebook/social networking sites?” The question was evaluated similarly
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Table 10. Should you have friendly online conversations with someone you don’t know much in real life and you know on Facebook/social networks?
between participants who used and did not use pseudonyms. Therefore, when the options preferred by the participants in both groups are examined, it could be thought that the difference in terms of usage attitudes and behaviors related to Facebook/social sharing sites was meaningless. Because the level of significance of the resulting difference was 0.199 > p: 0.05. As in the other table data, the number of people using pseudonyms was 9 and it was understood that these participants mostly preferred negative options with higher scores. However, as with the others, the remaining participants who did not use pseudonyms were 57 people and as it could be understood from the data that they focused on the positive options with lower scores. It could be said that among the participants, those who used pseudonyms were more likely to have a friendly chat online on Facebook/social networks with people they did not know much in real life compared to those who did not use pseudonyms.
Similarly, there was no significant difference between the duration of use of social networks and Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors. In terms of Facebook usage time, it could be said that those who used Facebook/social network for less time/year among the participants were more willing to chat with people they didn’t know very well online on Facebook/social networks compared to those who used Facebook/social network for longer/year.
As the data were seen in the table values (Table 11); “Should relationships on Facebook be considered as important as those in real life?” The question was evaluated similarly between participants who used and did not use pseudonyms. Because the level of significance of the resulting difference was 0.967 > p: 0.05. As it was seen in other table data the number of people using pseudonyms is 9 less and it is understood that the options preferred by these participants were the negative options that were higher than the others in terms of the determined score. In this case no significant difference was found between the participants
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Table 11. Should the relationships on Facebook be considered as important as those in real life?
who used and did not use pseudonyms in terms of attitudes and behaviors related to this process. However, as it was revealed in the previous table values, the remaining participants who did not use nicknames were 57 people, and as it was understood they focused on the positive options with lower scores.
Similar to the previous table values, there was no significant difference in terms of Facebook/social networking sites usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of time spent on social networks. Because of 0.788 > p: 0.05. The fact that the participants used Facebook at different times did not create a variable in terms of Facebook usage purposes.
As it was seen in the table data (Table 12); “Does the sharing of images such as private pictures published on Facebook/social networking sites make you feel good?” In terms of the answers given to the question it was seen that there was no significant difference between the participants who used pseudonyms and those who did not. As it was understood those who used pseudonyms and those who did not answered the question for similar reasons. It was understood that among the participants, those who used pseudonyms felt better with the images they shared compared to those who did not use pseudonyms.
However, when we looked at the duration of Facebook usage, it was observed that the participants who used the social networking network for 5 - 6 years feel better when they shared their private pictures with a significant difference compared to the participants who used the social network for a shorter period of time.
When table values (Table 13) were examined; “Do you feel bad when your posts on Facebook/social networks are not taken into account?” It was seen that the question was evaluated similarly between participants who used and did not use pseudonyms. Therefore, when the options preferred by the participants in both groups were examined, it could be thought that the difference in terms of
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Table 12. Does sharing images such as private pictures posted on Facebook make you feel good?
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Table 13. Do you feel bad when your posts on Facebook/social networks are not taken into account?
usage attitudes and behaviors related to Facebook/social sharing sites was meaningless. Because the level of significance of the resulting difference was 0.525 > p: 0.05. As in other table data, the number of people using pseudonyms is 9 and it was observed that these participants mostly preferred negative options with higher scores. However, as with the others, the remaining participants who did not use pseudonyms were 57 people, and as it could be understood from the data, they focused on the positive options with lower scores. It was observed that the rate of those who felt bad among the participants when their shares on Facebook/social networks were not taken into account, were higher in those who used pseudonyms than those who did not use pseudonyms.
Similarly, there was no significant difference between the duration of use of social networks and Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors. Because of 0.670 > p: 0.05. Although the participants spent different time periods and it could be said that their reasons were similar and that these different time periods might be related to the accessibility dimension of this technology for users. When we looked at the duration of Facebook/social network usage, the rate of those who felt bad when their shares on Facebook/social networks were not taken into account, the participants who used the social network for 5 - 6 years did not feel worse than those who used Facebook/social network less than 5 - 6 years were found to be inclined.
When the table data above (Table 14) was examined, it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.535). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; “Do you feel happy when many of your friends are online on social networks?” It could be thought that using or not using a nickname did not make a difference in terms of their answers to the question. However, it was observed that among the participants, those who did not use nicknames on Facebook/social networks feel happier when their friends were online on Facebook/social networks compared to those who used pseudonyms.
Likewise, it could be said that there was no significant difference between the users in terms of their Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.999). When we looked at the duration of use of Facebook/social network among the participants, it was seen that those who spent less time/year on Facebook/social network felt happier when their friends were online on Facebook/social network.
As it was seen from the table data (Table 15) it was observed that the purposes of
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Table 14. Do you feel happy that many of your friends are online on Facebook/social networking?
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Table 15. Does a high level of appreciation of your posts on Facebook/social networks make you respectable?
using social networking sites of the participants, who were users of social networks that used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.248). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; “Does it make you respectable if your posts on Facebook/social networks are highly appreciated?” In terms of their answers to the question, those who did not use pseudonyms think that they would be more respected than those who used pseudonyms.
On the other hand it could be said that there was no significant difference between the users in terms of their Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.643). Among the participants, they believed that those who used Facebook/social networking sites for a longer period of time were highly appreciated for their posts.
Based on the table data (Table 16) participants who used pseudonyms argued that a special time might be given for the use of social networking sites compared to participants who did not use pseudonyms.
It could be said that there was no statistically significant difference between the users in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.140). In line with the answers given by the participants, the participants who had just started using Facebook had defended the view that a special time might be given for the use of Facebook/social networking sites more than the participants who had been using it for a long time.
Based on the data obtained in table (Table 17) it was observed that the usage purposes of the participants, who used or did not use pseudonymous social networks, were very close to each other. Therefore, it could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.859). While
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Table 16. Should a special time be given for the use of Facebook/social networking sites?
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Table 17. Do you think that Facebook/social networking sites steal the time you allocate for your daily life activities?
the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; “Do you think Facebook/social networking sites steal your time for your daily life activities?” It could be thought that using or not using a nickname did not make a difference in terms of their answers to the question. Among the participants, those who did not use pseudonyms thought that Facebook/social networking sites stole the time they allocated for their daily life activities.
On the other hand, when it was looked at the dimensions of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the time users spend in this process, it could be concluded that long-term users thought that Facebook/social networking sites stole the time to allocate for daily life activities while using Facebook/social networks compared to short-term users.
The table values in which the data obtained (Table 18) as a result of the study were presented, it was observed that the purposes of using these networks of social networking networks/Facebook users who used and did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other or the same. It could be said that the participants in both groups used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.203). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; “Do you think friends on Facebook should be chosen according to their gender?” It could be thought that using or not using nicknames was not very effective and did not make a difference in terms of their answers to the question.
Likewise, although there was no statistical significance in terms of the total time spent by users in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.534), long-term Facebook users stated that the choice of friends should be chosen according to gender compared to short-term users.
According to the (Table 19) data, it was observed that the usage purposes of
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Table 18. Do you think friends on Facebook should be chosen according to their gender?
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Table 19. Friends on Facebook should be selected based on their general interest.
the participants who used or did not use pseudonymous social networks were similar to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.794). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; While it could be said that using or not using nicknames was not very effective in terms of their reactions to the idea that “friends on Facebook should be chosen based on their general interest” and therefore the difference was not significant those who used pseudonyms stated that they did not care about people’s interests in choosing friends on Facebook compared to those who did not use pseudonyms.
Although there was no statistical significance between the total time spent by Facebook users and the choice of friends (p: 0.05 < 0.106). It could be said that the general interests of the participants should be considered in the selection of friends compared to those who had more Facebook usage times than those who used less Facebook.
When we looked at the data in the above table (Table 20) it is observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.579). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks by regarding the sentence “I choose my friends on Facebook/social networking sites according to their professions”, it could be thought that using or not using a pseudonym was not very effective and did not make a meaningful difference in this sense. Among the users, those who did not use nicknames stated that they chose friends according to their profession compared to those who used pseudonyms.
While it could be said that there was no statistical difference between the participants in terms of the time they spend in total, with the dimension of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors (p: 0.05 < 0.303). Long-term Facebook users
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Table 20. I choose my friends on Facebook/social networking sites according to their professions.
among the participants stated that they chose friends according to their profession compared to those who used Facebook for less.
When the table values (Table 21) were examined it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.496). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks and according to the statement “I choose my friends on Facebook/social networks according to their favorite teams”, it could be thought that using or not using a nickname did not make a statistical difference. However, among the participants, those who did not use nicknames stated that they chose their friends according to their favorite teams compared to those who used pseudonyms.
Likewise, it could be said that there was no statistically significant relationship between users’ Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.489). However, when viewed from the context of the participants’ preferences, long-term Facebook users stated that they chose friends according to their profession compared to those who used Facebook for less.
When the below table values (Table 22) were analyzed it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.823). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; It could be thought that using or not using a nickname did not make a difference in terms of the idea that “I choose my friends on Facebook according to where they live”. Therefore, it could be said that there was no significant difference between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms in terms of their attitudes
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Table 21. I choose my friends on Facebook/social networks according to their favorite teams.
and behaviors in using social networks. It could be thought that the place of residence was not important for those who use pseudonyms from the mean rank, while the place of residence is important for those who did not use it. Even with a small difference those who did not use nicknames stated that they chose friends according to the place/city they lived in compared to those who used pseudonyms.
Likewise, it could be said that there was no statistically significant difference between the users in terms of their Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.492). Although it was thought that the difference here was based on coincidental reasons, long-term Facebook users among the participants stated that they chose friends according to their profession compared to those who used Facebook for less.
When we looked at the data in the below table (Table 23) it was observed that
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Table 22. I choose my friends on Facebook according to where they live.
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Table 23. I choose my friends on Facebook according to their ethnicity.
the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.805). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; It could be thought that using or not using a pseudonym made no difference in terms of their answers to the questionnaire item “I choose my friends on Facebook according to their ethnicity”. Therefore, it could be said that there was no significant difference between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms in terms of attitudes and behaviors of using social networks. As it was seen in the table it was stated that Facebook users who used pseudonyms chose their friends according to ethnicity compared to those who did not use pseudonyms.
It could be said that there was no statistically significant difference between the participant Facebook users in terms of the time they spent in this process, in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors (p: 0.05 < 0.200). Among the participants they stated that those who used Facebook for 5 - 6 years paid less attention to ethnicity in choosing friends than those who used Facebook for 1 - 3 years and 3 - 5 years.
When we looked at the table data below (Table 24) it was observed that the usage purposes of the participants who used social networks or not were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.473). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; It could be thought that using or not using a nickname did not make a difference in terms of the answers they gave to the question “I choose my friends on Facebook/social networking according to their education level”. Among the participants, those who did not use pseudonyms stated that their choice of friends on Facebook/social network should be made according to the criteria of education level compared to those who used pseudonyms.
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Table 24. I choose my Facebook/social network friends according to their education levels.
As stated in the other table values it could be said that there was no statistically significant difference in Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors among users in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.411). When the time used in social networks was evaluated in terms of Facebook/social networking use attitudes and behaviors, users who used Facebook for more than 5 years state that they chose their friends according to their professions more than new users.
When it was looked at the data in the below table (Table 25) it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that the opinions of the participants in both groups about these networks were the same (p: 0.05 < 0.673). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; It could be thought that using or not using a nickname was not very effective in terms of attitude and behavior against the statement “I choose my friends according to the gender they search for on Facebook/social networking sites”. It could be thought that those who used pseudonyms did not care about the gender preferences of the chosen friends while those who did not use it to some extent value this situation.
Similarly, it could be said that there was no statistically significant difference between the users’ Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.210). Although the participants’ Facebook usage periods were different, it could be thought that there was no significant difference in terms of usage attitudes and behaviors. In terms of Facebook/social networking usage attitudes and behaviors of the total time used in social networks, users who had been using Facebook for more than 5 years stated that they gave more importance to gender preferences when choosing their friends than users who were new or had less usage time/years.
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Table 25. I choose my friends on Facebook/social networking sites according to the gender they are looking for.
When we looked at the data in the below table (Table 26) it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.775). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; In terms of the meaning of the sentence “I choose my friends on Facebook/social network by looking at their photos”, it could be thought that using or not using a pseudonym did not make any difference in terms of attitudes and behaviors of using websites. Among the participants, those who did not use pseudonyms stated that they chose their friends on Facebook/social network by looking at their photos compared to those who used pseudonyms.
In terms of the time spent by the users in this process, it could be said that there was no significant difference between them in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors (p: 0.05 < 0.239). Although the participants’ Facebook usage periods were different, it could be thought that there was no significant difference in terms of usage attitudes and behaviors. It was observed that the differences that occur within the framework of different time dimensions did not cause a significant difference between Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors.
When we looked at the data in the table’s data (Table 27), it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.886). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; It could be thought that using or not using nicknames was not very effective in terms of agreeing or disagreeing with the idea “I choose my friends on Facebook/social networking based on the music they listen to” and therefore did not make a meaningful difference. Therefore, it could be said that there was no significant difference between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms in
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Table 26. I choose my friends on Facebook/social network by looking at their photos.
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Table 27. I choose my friends on Facebook/social network according to the music they listen to.
terms of their attitudes and behaviors in using social networks. However, it couldn’t be said that those who used pseudonyms were very willing to agree with this idea. However, Facebook/social network users who used pseudonyms stated that they chose their friends more according to the similar music they listen to compared to those who did not use pseudonyms.
In terms of the time spent by the users in this process, it could be said that there was no significant difference between them in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors (p: 0.05 < 0.286). Although the participants’ Facebook usage periods were different it could be thought that there was no significant difference in terms of usage attitudes and behaviors. It could be said that the use of different time zones in total was due to other reasons. Among the participants they stated that Facebook/social network users with less duration/year made their friend choices based on similar music they listened to more than users with more duration/years.
When we looked at this table’s (Table 28) data, it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms differ from each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for different purposes. There was a significant difference between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors (p: 0.05 < 0.015). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; We could say that using or not using a pseudonym is effective in terms of agreeing or disagreeing with the idea of “I choose my friends on Facebook/social networks according to their political views” and therefore created a meaningful difference. Therefore, it was observed that there was a significant difference between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms in terms of attitudes and behaviors of using social networks. However it couldn’t be said that those who used pseudonyms were very
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Table 28. I choose my friends on Facebook/social networks according to their political views.
willing to agree with this idea (Mean Rank: 46.00 > 31.53). However Facebook/social network users who used pseudonyms stated that they chose their friends on Facebook/social networks according to their political opinions compared to those who did not use pseudonyms.
Likewise, it could be said that there was no significant difference between the users in terms of their Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in terms of the total time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.541). Although the participants’ Facebook usage periods were different, it could be thought that there was no significant difference in terms of usage attitudes and behaviors. It could be said that the use of different time zones in total was due to other reasons. Among the participants it was stated that Facebook/social network users with less time/years made their friend choices based on their political opinions on Facebook/social networks more than users with more time/years.
When we looked at the data in this table (Table 29), it was observed that the usage purposes of the users of social networks who used or did not use pseudonyms were very close to each other. It could be said that both groups of participants used these networks for similar purposes (p: 0.05 < 0.543). While the majority of the participants used Facebook/social networks; It could be thought that using or not using a pseudonym was not very effective in terms of agreeing or disagreeing with the idea “I choose my friends on Facebook according to their social relationship positions” and therefore did not make a meaningful difference. Therefore it could be said that there was no significant difference between the participants who used and did not use pseudonyms in terms of their attitudes and behaviors in using social networks. However it couldn’t be said that those who used pseudonyms were very willing to agree with this idea.
As observed from other table values, it could be said that there was no significant difference between them in terms of Facebook usage attitudes and behaviors in
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Table 29. I choose my friends on Facebook according to their social relationship positions.
terms of the time they spent in this process (p: 0.05 < 0.109). Although the participants’ Facebook usage periods were different, it could be thought that there was no significant difference in terms of usage attitudes and behaviors. Among the participants, it was stated that Facebook/social network users with less duration/year preferred their friends on Facebook/social networks more according to their social relationship positions compared to users with more duration/years.
4. Conclusion
In this study it was aimed to evaluate the usage knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the users in terms of the use of pseudonyms and the time used. Within the framework of this purpose in the study that was concluded no significant differences were found between the use of nicknames by Facebook/social network users and their Facebook/social network usage information. However, it was observed that there was a significant difference at p: 0.05 > 0.032 level in terms of Facebook usage information between those who used pseudonyms and those who did not, regarding Table 4: “I use Facebook for gaming”. Here, it could be thought that there was a differentiation in the information about the purpose of use of Facebook. It could be thought that this situation might be due to individual and perhaps cultural differences to some extent. In Table 1, there was a significant difference in terms of Facebook usage time regarding the thought and knowledge of “It is necessary to make friends with people we know on Facebook”. At the level of p: 0.05 > 0.007, it could be thought that they had different thoughts and knowledge. This difference was quite significant and this difference showed that it was about the necessity of making friends on Facebook and it would be true that some social and economic opportunities and opportunities could be emphasized here as well. According to Table 28 and regarding the expression “I choose my friends on Facebook/social networks according to their political opinions”, there was a significant difference between the use and non-use of nicknames for the participants. When we looked at the number of participants and their average rank, it was seen that the number of people using pseudonyms was much less, but the average value was higher. Therefore it should be said that these participants tended towards negative options with high scores. It was understood that those who did not use nicknames gave more weight to the positive options with lower scores.
5. Recommendations
The fact that information technologies are increasingly taking place in our daily lives in an unstoppable way forces individuals to develop new living habits, establish new relationships and communication styles and this makes it necessary to learn and add behavior patterns that did not exist before to their repertoire. All these innovations and the differences that have begun to be experienced lead to some changes in human life that are evaluated as positive or negative.
It is thought that the continuous and long hours of use of social networks and technology in pre-adolescence and adolescence may cause anxiety, depression and other psycho-pathologies. At the beginning of the social problems arising from the inability to maintain the use of Facebook within reasonable limits, which brings along various education and training problems for young students today, the perception of a virtual world of the individual, as a result of the realization of all individual relations on the basis of the virtual arguments of this virtual world, the active and direct participant behaviors of real life are cognitive. It uses communication that does not match the fact that it can not be internalized by gaining it in the name of affective and motor skills and that the virtual world in which the individual is imprisoned constructed through his Facebook account which is the window to other places neither as the same nor as a contrast. Because healthy communication has its own rules. It is known that among these rules, body language and way of saying are much more important than written words. As it is said; They don’t look at what you say, but how you say it. Here, what it meant is not the words, but the way you say it and your body language. Words have only 10% effect in the communication process. Moreover, it is a clear fact that the language used on Facebook violates the standard language rules.
Social networks limit human creativity and, of course, its unique naturalness as much as possible socially and culturally. We have to express that these nets, which are caught in learned helplessness by creating a perception of being surrounded by development and creativity, begin to be no different from a spider web woven in its natural environment. It is clear that the wrong experiences can not move anyone out of that established network. If the goal here is to get out of the network trap and get rid of it; only the right experiences will work. It is clear that wrong experiences and attempts will consume limited time. Social networks will never be able to give their followers the knowledge of absolute and unchanging truth through experiences. Because there is no such information. Therefore, the most important benefit that these networks can give and bring to people is; It is to contribute to human development without disturbing the balance within the scope of its dimensions and not to harm his creativity, questioning and genuine critical approaches. Yes, social networks are very important, they are one of the most important technologies of our century, their capacity is very wide, but they are not big enough to enclose our world with all events, facts, objects, animate, inanimate, tangible and intangibles, and reorder it at a later stage within the scope of all realities. It is inevitable that those who value it in such a big way will eventually be disappointed. This is a technology that has been produced only within the framework of the capabilities of the human brain, which is, at best, an extension of it. Man cannot be a slave to a product he produces. However, he uses it for more desired and expected purposes. These networks should be discussed from this perspective and used more efficiently. Because these and similar technologies force humanity to develop their own anti-systems. To put it more clearly, the main problem is that the producers could not derive their usage purposes from the imperialist and colonialism phenomenon. Basically, it should be known that this technology created by Almighty Allah does not conflict with the codes of being human and has no ability to get ahead of it. In fact, this technology expresses how perfect it is after finding and realizing the essence of the being called human, even if it is itself, and how low it is when it cannot do this. These technologies silently lead to change and transformation, and in the light of these developments, all social institutions and organizations provide more advanced education, more employment, sharing, more unfailing justice and human rights, real or virtual realities, not only in our own thinking; It should tend to lead to attitudes and behaviors such as imagining that it may be in the thoughts of others.
The fact that Informatics Technologies have started covering up more space in our daily lives makes it inevitable for people to acquire new habits of life and construct new communication forms, which lead to learning and adopting new behaviour patterns that were not existent earlier and thus all these changes and differences result in positive or negative alterations in the lives of people (Dağ 2001: 24; Doğan 2006). According to Doğan (2006) technological changes in this sense both reform human relations and give way to the employment of new channels of relation types.
According to a survey that Psychology Department in Goteborg University conducted on a thousand people, internet users who follow others’ lives via Facebook succumb to depression when they compare their own lives with others’. Leif Dent, a researcher in the group that conducted the survey, resembles this to a fake life and point out that “It is the most enjoyable moments and pictures that people share on Facebook. This leads to an illusion in other people as one cannot possibly see the real life or really sad moments of the others on Facebook. Being jealous of others’ virtual lives due to the social Networks has become a recent problem that affects people” (Sabah, 06 March 2012).
Prior to the puberty phase and during puberty, overuse of social Networks and technology is believed to cause anxiety, depression and other psychopathologic issues (Doğan, A., 2006).
According to another research conducted by Oxford University, social Network websites such as Facebook or Twitter cause teenagers go into an “identity crisis”. Users, who share their pictures or opinions constantly on these websites are thought to be trying to attract others by giving the message “Look, here I am”. Professor Baroness Greenfield, head of the research, states that while friendships become bigger on the internet, our brains are somehow installed by electricity wires. Greenfield also adds that “banality has become a trend especially on Twitter. Why should anyone be interested in what the person s/he is following has eaten at breakfast or where s/he has gone to? This looks very much like what little children say to their parents continuously as in “Mum, look what have I done?/Mum, look, I can do this too.” Experts point out that spending most of your time on such websites causes attention deficit, the need for an instant happiness and a nonverbal communication.
Today, Facebook is a social mass media instrument, on which many scientists perform researches and arrive at new findings and produce new data. Users of Facebook come together via various social groups and pages and they form huge masses, moroever they also come together in real life and initiate many activities or protests (Devrimlerin Baş Aktörü; İnternet. Habertürk, 22 February 2011 Tuesday).
The objective of this study is to be informed about the negative or positive psychosocial effects of Facebook, an important social Network in our lives, and its influences upon social relations and attitude and behaviours of people and its place in the lives of individuals and the duration that people spend their time in Facebook and share the information with parents, and educators. Seeing the issue from this point of view, this study is of great significance and on the level of contributing to the solving of the internet sourced problems.