University Students' Perceptions About Digital Surveillance: The Case of Sakarya University Faculty of Communication

This thesis examines the characteristics of societies focused on control and surveillance that emerged with modernity, and evaluates the importance of risk in these societies. It is noted that the widespread use of digital transformation and related technologies includes elements such as cybersecurity risk, data privacy risk, violation of privacy rights, and freedom of speech risks. Digital technologies are considered new intermediaries and sources of risk, and the two aspects of the digital risk society, namely digitizing risk and usage risks, are discussed. In this context, it is emphasized that digital surveillance provides deeper control and oversight in the increasingly risky structure of modern society. The purpose of this current research is to examine university students' perceptions of digital surveillance. The sample of the study, designed within the scope of the quantitative research design, consisted of a total of 348 students studying at Sakarya University Faculty of Communication. A personal information form developed by the researcher and the Perception Scale on Digital Surveillance developed by Asıl (2017) were used as data collection tools in the study. SPSS v23 statistical program was used in the analysis of the research. The research findings indicate that the digital surveillance perceptions of university students were examined, and it was found that a significant portion of the students are aware of digital surveillance practices. It was determined that students have concerns about the effects of digital surveillance on privacy and data security. Additionally, it was observed that students' attitudes towards digital surveillance practices are related to their sensitivity to personal data security and privacy issues. In conclusion, it was found that digital surveillance practices have a significant impact on university students. It is recommended that students be made more aware of digital surveillance and be better informed about data security issues. It is emphasized that universities should develop and implement policies to protect students' privacy rights. In this way, the main findings and conclusions of the research are presented concisely in the abstract section.