An evaluation of the interrelationship between social media use and online shopping addiction in the context of social work

This study aims to examine the relationship between social media use and online shopping addiction and to evaluate the contextual relevance of these two phenomena within the scope of social work. As digitalization increasingly shapes individuals' social and economic lives, understanding the implications of digital habits for individual well-being has become essential for effective social work practice. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected through surveys administered to 516 participants. The findings revealed significant differences in social media use and online shopping addiction across various sociodemographic variables. Notably, individuals whose expenses exceeded their income demonstrated significantly higher levels of online shopping addiction than those with higher income levels. Younger participants exhibited higher levels of both social media use and online shopping addiction, and women scored higher than men in both variables. Regression analysis indicated that online shopping addiction is a significant predictor of social media use, suggesting that the content encountered on social media platforms may influence individuals' consumption behaviors. The data also highlight that digital behaviors are shaped not only by personal preferences but also by social, economic, and psychological factors. Overall, the study underscores the necessity of developing intervention strategies within the field of social work to address digital addiction. It emphasizes that social workers should implement awareness-raising and empowerment-based interventions, particularly targeting youth and economically disadvantaged groups.