The use of social networks, the effect of middle school students on the level of physical activity

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of social networking use on physical activity levels of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. 1576 students from Mersin, Zonguldak, Gaziantep, Ordu, İzmir and Istanbul participated in the study. "Social Network Usage Level Scale" was used to determine the social media usage and "Physical Activity Evaluation Form" determined by the researcher in determining the physical activity levels was established while students were asked questions such as gender and class to get their demographic information. The frequency, mean, and percentage values of the study were examined in the descriptive results of the data used in the research. In addition, T-Test was used as a sex variable and Anova Test was used as a class variable. Correlation test was also used to compare the level of social network usage and physical activity level scores. As seen in the study, approximately two-thirds of the research group had a social network account, and according to personal computers, almost half of the survey group had a computer, although the difference was minimal. It has been determined that the individuals in the research group prefer computer use the most at home. In addition, more than half of the participants were found to use the computer for "Research and Homework" purposes. It is seen that most of them use Social Networking to point out "Communication with Friends" and "Playing Time". As a result, it can be said that the research group allocated more time to social networking according to the gender variable of the research group and that the students in the eighth grade are more likely to use social networking than the students in the other class and that the level of social networking increases as the level of social network usage increases. Key words: Social network, facebook, student, physical activity