MORE than 80 per cent of the population in developed countries regularly uses the internet. At the same time, the number of internet users is rising rapidly. In this re­gard, the majority of users access the internet via mobile phones and tablets.

A press release issued by Statista, a German online platform specializing in data gathering and visualization, stated in April 2024 that Facebook had become the most popular social media platform, with its user base surpassing three billion worldwide. It was followed by YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram, each attracting around two billion users.

The advancement of technology has brought both advantages and negative side effects to the world. In particular, as the use of mo­bile phones and computers increases among school-age children and youths, social and health problems are also on the rise. Games and cartoon videos available through mo­bile applications can become addictive for children and teen­agers. Many teenagers now spend a large portion of their time on mobile phones, which contributes to media addiction. As a result, cybercrimes and bullying have become more common in schools. Fur­thermore, when each family member is absorbed in their mobile phone, family relation­ships often grow distant and disconnected.

Hence, psychiatrists have warned that using social media platforms for more than two hours a day can lead to psy­chological issues such as depression and anxiety. In this regard, individuals who are excessively addicted to social media may develop unrealistic expectations or become overly fixated on certain topics. Additionally, they are likely to experience negative effects on their sleep. As they spend more of their free time on social media, the time dedicated to family relationships tends to decline. Furthermore, they may also face problems such as online harassment.

Indeed, social media can help eliminate wrongdoing and ex­tremism related to culture, customs, and personal obsessions. Moreover, it can break down barriers to critical thinking while im­proving social relationships. When people use social media properly and systematically, they can benefit from its potential to enhance their socioeconomic lives by promoting positive attitudes and ideas.

Whatever the case may be, social media brings both positive and negative consequences for users, especially in an era where technological development faces few restrictions. Although exces­sive indulgence in content from social media platforms can lead to disadvantages, systematic use and critical analysis of these plat­forms can contribute to knowledge building. Therefore, internet users should aim to make the most of social media’s benefits while respecting the rights of others.