Özet:

The purpose of this research is to examine the social media awareness and usage of preschool children. The case study was used in the research which was constructed on the qualitative research method. Purposeful sampling and homogeneous sampling method were used to form the study group. A total of 140 preschool children in an official kindergarten in Tokat province center, consisting of 20 children from three-year-old age group, 40 children from four-year-old age group and 80 children from five-year-old age group participated in the study. Research data were collected to include multiple situations that reflect children's social media awareness and usage. For this, 30 x 30 cm size picture cards showing Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Messenger and Youtube logos from the most used social media applications are prepared. Through individual interviews with children, identification of the logos on the picture cards and usage of the application has been determined. Children's responses were recorded in the data form. Face-to-face interviews were held with five children from each age group who recognized the logos on the cards and open-ended questions were asked to the children about where they saw the application and for what purpose the application is used. Descriptive analysis technique was used in the analysis of research data. Research has proven that majority of the children recognize the social media applications, they try applications from their parents' smartphone, Youtube is the most known and used application, and children use it to watch cartoons and videos.

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