Examining the relationship between social media addiction, loneliness and peace: Gümüşhane University example

This study aims to examine the relationships between social media addiction, loneliness, and inner peace using a holistic approach. With the technological revolution, the central role of digital technologies and social media platforms in daily life has significantly transformed individuals' communication styles, social relationships, and personal experiences. While social media offers opportunities for connection and interaction in virtual environments, constant exposure to others' lives may increase feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, and intensive and uncontrolled use may lead to decreases in individuals' levels of inner peace. The research was conducted using a quantitative research method and convenience sampling. The population and sample consisted of 535 participants aged 18 and over who use social media, including students as well as administrative and academic staff of Gümüşhane University Central Campus. Data were collected through face-to-face questionnaires, employing the Social Media Addiction Scale developed by Şahin and Yağcı (2017), the Loneliness Scale developed by Doğan, Çötok, and Tekin (2011), and the Peace Scale developed by Demirci and Ekşi (2017). The research findings revealed that the relationship between social media addiction, loneliness, and inner peace is not linear and unidirectional; rather, it is a multidimensional relationship shaped by variables such as age, occupation, duration of social media use, and individual resources. The results indicate that social media use, rather than being a direct threat to peace, becomes a risk factor under conditions of intense and uncontrolled use. In this context, the study shows that while the concept of peace is considered a holistic variable in the social media addiction literature, loneliness plays a dynamic role in this relationship, both as a cause and an effect.