Özet:

When research on the conditions of children’s internet use is studied, it is evident that the rate of internet use begins at very young age. One of the most popular social media apps is YouTube. The immediate accessibility and portability of technological devices has made the YouTube platform part of the everyday life of children. Children named as YouTube publishers on this platform also create content and share videos with their parents’ support. YouTube publishers, who watch videos millions and even billions of times, influence children in different ways. YouTube publishers, which we can now describe as children’s digital counterparts, have begun to be an important part of the child’s identity building process. The formation of identity constitutes a foundation for the social and emotional development of children. That is why it is very important to study the effects of YouTube publishers on children’s identity building processes. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of YouTube publishers on children’s identity building processes. In the research, from the quality research methods, the model of the study of the situation was chosen. The study was conducted with mothers with children aged 3-6 years. The study was conducted with 20 mothers. The research data was collected through a semi-configured interview form prepared by the researchers. The data collected from the participants was analyzed using the content analysis technique. Furthermore, YouTube publishers’ videos have been studied using a multi-modular critical speech analysis method. The study found that YouTube publishers’ videos encouraged children to consume, reduced their productivity and undermined children’s gaming skills. YouTube publishers have been determined to have an influence on the formation of the children’s future expectations and on the sexual identity formations, the girls are trying to get into a single-typed, imposed beauty pattern.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Özet:

According to studies, internet use starts at a very young age. One of the most frequently used social media applications used by children is Youtube. Instant accessibility and portability of technological devices made the Youtube a part of children's daily life. Kid Youtubers produce content and share videos on this platform with the support of their parents. Youtubers, whose videos are watched millions or even billions of times, affect children variously. Youtubers, whom can be defined as the peers of children, become an important part of children's identity building process. Since the identity is a key foundation for children’s social and emotional development, it is important to examine the impact of Youtubers on children's identity building processes. The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of Youtubers on the identity building processes of children. Qualitative research method and case study design is used in this research. Study is conducted with 20 mothers whose children’s ages are between 3 to 6. Data which is collected through a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researcher is analyzed by content analysis technique. Furthermore, Youtube channels are examined by Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis method. As a result of the research, it is observed that Youtube channels encourage children to consume more, decrease their productivity and blunt children's game-building skills. Youtubers are also effective in shaping the expectations of children from the future and sexual identity formations. Furthermore, it is concluded that the girls are trying to be put into a uniform, imposed beauty standards.