Sociological examination of the relationship between social media users' perceptions of modernity and loneliness levels

This research, which aims to examine the transformation of the concept of loneliness in the axis of modernization and social media concepts, is planned to search for an answer to the question "What is the relationship between modernization and social media and loneliness?" In this direction, simultaneous mixed method research, which is one of the mixed method research decoding, was used. The questionnaire technique was preferred for the quantitative part of the study and the interview technique was preferred for the qualitative part. Social media users between the ages of 18-55 constitute the universe of the research. 300 participants for the survey technique and 10 participants for the interview technique constitute the sample of the research. Within the scope of the survey technique; "Personal Information Form", "Modernity Scale", "De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale", "Virtual Environment Loneliness Scale" and "Loneliness Escape Scale" were directed to the participants. Based on the findings obtained, it is possible to say that loneliness has increased with modernization and also social media use has increased along with loneliness. However, the use of social media has not been a cure for loneliness. There is a vicious cycle at this point. This is because the participants who are active social media users and have high levels of virtual loneliness stated that they use social media again to escape loneliness.