An analysis of Facebook usage in the context of uses and gratifications approach: The case of Kirkuk University

As a result of the rapid development of information and communication technologies, the media has also undergone changes and transformations within itself. Today, almost everyone has smartphones with internet access, and there is access to the internet everywhere. This is an indicator that shows the point that information technologies have reached. In addition, social platforms have the technology to perform the functions of traditional media, and this enables new media types to reach every point of people's lives. New media applications affect the life of the individual deeply and they can make life easier and affect the life style, physiology and psychology of the individual. In the first part of this study, the nature, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of new media will be discussed within the framework of the definitions made for the concept of new media. Afterwards, internet applications and social media, which are new media types, will be discussed and the frequency of use of new media applications in Turkey will be discussed with current statistical data. In the second part, the basic concepts, historical development and characteristics of the Uses and Gratifications approach will be discussed. The relationship between the Uses and Gratifications approach and social media will be discussed, and in this context, the literature on Facebook will be examined. In this study, it was examined for which gratifications the users use social media. Within the scope of the research, data were collected at Kirkuk University using the quantitative method. A total of 286 students were surveyed, and the results were analyzed and evaluated with the SPSS program. When the results of the research are examined in general, the gratifications obtained from the use of social media may differ according to age, gender, education and living conditions.