Abstract:

Communication, which has been existed throughout the history of mankind, has gained a new dimension in recent years. Rapid change in technology and increasing number of needs and requests led to the development of new means of communication. These communication means, namely internet and social networks via internet, are quite popular nowadays. Thanks to internet and social networks, people have discovered and begun to use new communication opportunities. Unlike traditional mass media, use of social media creates a rapidly expanding domain. Social networks create opportunities for people to share their thoughts and works, and offer a media, which is based on sharing and discussion. In addition to being a user-based environment, social media is also an important tool since it brings people together and increase interaction between them. Institutions and organizations are trying to reach their target audiences and transmit their messages through social media. As well as out of institution, organizations use social media as a rapid and participatory communication tool within institution. With growing number of users, social media became a part or even a focal point of our lives. In this study, social networks and reasons of its usage were examined and social media usage habits were analyzed with a survey applied on Selcuk University Faculty of Communication students

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