The role of social media in the transformation of privacy: X (Twitter) and Instagram usage practices of Uludağ University students

Privacy, one of the most fundamental concepts unique to human beings, has become a subject of increasing debate, particularly in light of recent advancements in communication technologies. Social media, which emerged as a result of the paradigm shift in communication practices, has disrupted traditional source/receiver dynamics and created virtual environments that bring together millions of users. On these platforms, where individuals of all ages with basic digital literacy are active, users not only seek to satisfy various personal needs but also, at times, engage in self-exposure. This thesis aims to examine, through the lens of the Uses and Gratifications Approach, how young people, as the demographic group that uses social media most intensively engage with these platforms, what kind of privacy perceptions they hold, and how their awareness of privacy influences their usage practices. In this context, two of the most popular social media platforms have been selected for analysis: Instagram, known for its emphasis on visual content, and X (formerly Twitter), which features both visual and textual content. Keywords: Social Media, Privacy, Twitter (X), Instagram, User Practices