Investigation of the relationship between smart phone and social media use and gender roles in late adolescents

Aim: In this study; to examine the relationship between smartphone and social media use and gender roles in individuals in late adolescence. Method: Relational screening method, which is based on the determination of the relationship between two or more variables, was used in the study. The universe of the research; when forming the late adolescents living in Istanbul, the research sample; it consisted of late adolescents between the ages of 18-22 and living in Istanbul. Among the criteria for inclusion in the research; it was determined to be between the ages of 18-22, to fill the Informed Consent Form and to participate in the study voluntarily. Research data; it was collected through "Personal Information Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form, Social Media Addiction Scale-Adult Form, Femininity and Masculinity Scale of Bem Gender Role Inventory". All statistical analyses were made with SPSS 25.0 program and interpreted. Results: In the findings of the study; a statistically significant relationship was found between the scales. A high level of positive correlation was found between smartphone addiction and social media addiction. Of late adolescents; While it was determined that there was no relationship between the level of smartphone addiction and gender and age groups, and between the level of social media addiction and gender, there was a relationship between the level of social media addiction and age. Conclusion: Smartphone and social media platforms are two important tools associated with behavioural addiction, and their excessive use may vary according to gender roles in late adolescence. Therefore, it is thought that it would be correct to include all kinds of intervention programs, including psycho-education, to be developed for the controlled and healthy use of these tools, within the measures to protect the physical and mental health of children and adolescents.