Sosyal Medyada Gözetleme Moti̇vasyonlari: Instagram Kullanicilari Üzeri̇ne Bi̇r Araştirma

Abstract

Although surveillance is not a new phenomenon for individuals, it has become widespread with social media. This study aims the reasons behind social media users' surveillance motivations and its reflections in their everyday lives, and what surveillance means to them. When the studies on surveillance are examined, it is observed that the vast majority of studies concentrate on the theoretical aspect of the subject, and that field research remains in the background. It is also observed that field studies, which are very few compared to theoretical studies, do not focus on analyzing the surveillance motivations of social media users. In this respect, our study may contribute to the research area by offering a fresh perspective on social media users and their surveillance motivations. In accordance with the purpose of this study, a qualitative research design has conducted. The questions tried to be answered in the study has determined as follows: 1. Why do social media users make surveillance? 2. What does the act of surveillance mean for social media users? 3. What are the surveillance motivations of social media users? 4. How do they use Instagram as a surveillance tool? 6. What are the reflections of the act of surveillance in users' daily lives? In accordance with the research questions, the phenomenological pattern has preferred, which is one of the qualitative research designs. In the study in which the criterion sampling method has used in accordance with the research subject and purpose, the in-depth interview has conducted as a data collection technique. Descriptive analysis and content analysis has used in analyzing the data. The results of the research revealed that there are 9 themes related to the main problem topic. The surveillance motivations of social media users consist of emotional needs, the need for information, social anxiety, desire to control others, the need to interact with them, to be inspired by them, killing the leisure time, and negative actions.

Investigating University Students Social Media Stalking Situations

“…According to the participants, using a public account causes people to be stalked. In the research conducted by Güleç and Köker (2021), participants also mentioned that they stalked accounts that were not private. According to Koç's (2019) research finding, in which the phenomenon of digital security in Turkey is discussed, 43% of the participants stated that their social media accounts are public.…”

“…In addition, some participants stated that they also stalked individuals they had just met. The fact that individuals stalk a person they have just met shows that they use this behavior as a means of socialization and that they do it to increase the interactions between them (Güleç & Köker, 2021). Participants stated that they engage in stalking mainly out of curiosity, seeking information, inspiration, or entertainment motives.…”

“…The innovations brought by Web 2.0 have enabled people to use social media as a new communication tool. In addition, users can convey their feelings, thoughts, and actions to other users through these platforms without time or space limitations (Güleç & Köker, 2021). The impact of media, particularly social media, on individuals' perceived reality and their interactions with it shapes worldviews and everyday experiences (Sandal, 2023).…”