Özet:

People's expectations from mass media are being differentiated along with the developing digital media platforms. In addition to the personal characteristics, content expectations of the individual are changing based on the social media applications they use. Individuals are able to meet their daily needs through digital platforms and social media. This article examines the purposes of social media usage of individuals who frequently use social media applications such as Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram within the framework of uses and gratifications theory. Through digital applications, individuals can be involved in interactions such as playing games, staying abreast with the political agenda, following discussion groups, sending political messages or commenting on posts. When digital platforms are examined in terms of uses and gratifications, it is observed that social media meets the needs of users effectively with its interactive use feature. Although the uses and gratifications approach is first considered within the framework of traditional media, it covers the digital media more effectively because it corresponds to the needs of individuals in a multidimensional way in virtual environments within the scope of the its characteristics and possibilities. Examination of social media applications within the framework of uses and gratifications approach is important in terms of observing the social effects of developing communication tools.

Anahtar Kelimeler: