Examining the relationships between social media addiction, self-perception, empathy development and peer relationships in adolescence

During adolescence, the individual is in an identity confusion. In this period, there are changes in behavior, determination of gender roles, and physical and psychological preparation in the individual. In this process, a rapid development occurs in the individual, this change is very important for human life. The individual needs to keep up with this change. The adolescent begins to make friends as an individual and to be able to act alone. Today, social media has gained importance as a tool for the socialization of adolescents. In this thesis, the relationship between the use of social media and the adolescent's self-perception, empathy development and peer relations was examined.In the literature, there is an examination of adolescent social media addiction with different variables. However, when the literature was examined, it was seen that there was no study that considered the variables of self- perception, empathy development and peer relations of social media addiction together. In the literature, there is an examination of adolescent social media addiction with different variables. However, when the literature was examined, it was seen that there was no study that considered the variables of self-perception, empathy development and peer relations of social media addiction together. This study will fill this gap in the literature and shed light on new research. At the same time, it will provide the opportunity to re-examine the effects on the sample group to be studied currently. For this thesis, the selected scales and forms were applied to the students selected by the psychologist by face-to-face method and random sampling method between July 1 and December 31, 2022, students studying in public schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Bahçelievler district of Istanbul. The data were collected by applying the personal information form, Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, Self-Perception Profile for Children, Empathy Scale for Children and Peer Relations Scale. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 package program, and statistical methods such as correlation analysis, t- test, ANOVA test, regression analysis were used as analysis methods. Cronbach Alpha test was used for the validity and reliability analysis of the survey questions. In statistical analysis, the significance value was determined as p<0.05.