Di̇gi̇tal medi̇a and chi̇ld: New di̇mensi̇ons of soci̇ali̇zati̇on

Computer and internet-based digital media effects children's games, children's education and their health, more broadly, the socialization of children. Communication and media sociology, as a sub-branch of sociology, with new dimensions of computer and internet Technologies, has already become an important research area of social sciences. On the other hand, socialization as a significant concept of sociology should be redefined and the process of socialization should also be explained again with the new dimensions. While by the books, radio, television, cinema... etc. mass media messages can be sent from a central to audiences as one-way, in the digital age messages can be sent from multiple sources to multiple targets and the recipients can critize, save, interpret and immediately response. Such features facilitate rapid communication and interaction between individuals and institutions in society. Social networking sites, which are based on digital media technology, especially Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, have constituted new spaces for individual and social life. In this multi-featured platform, which are created in digital media, able to do children make friends, play, research about school subject or personal interest. However, besides these visible positive effects of digital media, it includes all threatening actions and images which have effect on children in real life. In these platforms, called social media, the children have access easily to media contents which are not allowed in real life. Due to the children use of the internet long-term, internet addiction has been spreading rapidly. The internet addiction affects children's development in all respects negatively. The main research question of this study is the new social spaces, which is outlined above, and what kind of a role it has on children's socialization. The explanation of this role serve to the understanding of both positive and negative effects of social media and take necessary measures for these problems. The aim of the thesis is to explain digital-media-children interactions in the context of socialization. We have some basic arguments as starting points in answering the main question of the thesis: Digital media contain several novelties regarding real-life relations and other different areas. Children is getting increasingly in interaction with social media. The nature of their relations with urban families, neighbours, relatives, neighbourhood residents and their natural environments can have an effect on the increasing of this interaction. On the contrary, the effect of traditional institutions is gradually decreasing. In this qualitative study, an inductive method, and semi-structured interview, observations are used. Positive and negative consequences of digital media and children relations are evaluated according to the parents' observations, experiences and thoughts who are living in İstanbul's districts Küçükçekmece, Şişli and Üsküdar. In this evaluation we have reached some findings: Urban environment and opportunities of each three district, parents' status positions such as work, education and ages are not decisive factors in children's internet using patterns but rather families's special information and status have a strong effect on this. Parents usually support their children's beneficial use of internet. On the other hand, their children's long hours of using internet makes their parents anxious for their children. Nuclear family has more disadvantages than extended families in improving real social relations. Digital media requires a new literacy. The gap of digital literacy levels between parents and children has a negative impact on parents-children communication. Digital media causes children to experience socialization process rapidly. The socialization process experienced as a result of the interaction between digital media and children is expressed as vertical, horizontal and irregular socialization process in this study. Keywords: Digital Media, Children, Socialization, Family, Urban Neighborhood.