Abstract:

Today, the Internet environment, which has an intense use as a mass communication medium, is also a virtual space breaking from the real place. In this place, the individual is able to build a virtual life parallel to his real life through social media means; the existence he cannot show in real life, can be shown in virtual life. Therefore, in his relationships with the virtual space he can consciously or unconsciously leave traces of many values sometimes defined as private, such as his daily life, living space, family, beliefs, political views, feelings and thoughts. Privacy is in essence a fundamental human need and, if not provided at a sufficient level, it can lead to anti-social behavior and behavioral disorders. The subject of this study is what the expression corresponds to the concept of privacy in the minds and whether it is taken into account in the use of social media. In other words, it has been investigated whether users are concerned about privacy in social media sharing. For this purpose, a survey was applied to English preparation class students (118 women, 230 men) at the Technical University of Black Sea. The survey first questioned how university students define their privacy and privacy. Then, depending on social media sharing, privacy awareness in the virtual environment was tried to be assessed in the context of gender variation. Thus, it is questioned whether the values that students define as private in theory are also applicable to social media.