Investigation of the relationship between high school students problematic social media use and cognitive distortions in terms of various variables

In this study, it is aimed to examine the relationship between high school students' problematic social media use and their cognitive distortions. Appropriate sampling method was preferred in determining the research group. The research group consists of a total of 419 students studying at high schools in Bingöl city center and Genç district in the 2018-2019 academic year. Social media use disorder scale, cognitive distortions scale and personal information form were used as data collection tools in the study. During the analysis of the data, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, independent t test and ANOVA were used through the SPSS program. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the problematic social media use of students did not differ significantly by gender. In the research, it was found that problematic social media use differs significantly according to age. In the study, it was found that disaster and labeling cognitive distortions significantly predicted problematic social media use, and cognitive distortions showed a significant difference in favor of girls by gender. The study revealed that cognitive distortions differ significantly according to age. According to the findings of this study, it was seen that the relationship between cognitive distortions and problematic social media use was a positive and significant relationship. According to the results obtained from the research findings, it was evaluated that cognitive distortions had an effect on students' problematic social media use. The obtained results were discussed within the scope of the relevant literature and recommendations were made for further studies. Keywords: Problematic social media use, cognitive distortions, high school students