In the world, special names are given to generations according to the characteristics of the developmental period. While “X GENERATION” is used for those born between 1961-1981, the term “Y GENERATION” is used for those born between 1981 and 2000. Following the X and Y generations, the “Z generation” includes those born between the end of 1990 and 2012. This generation is also called the “internet generation”.
Generation Z are the children of Generation X. This generation, also known as the new silent generation, is defined as being impatient and having a momentary mind, not having the ambitions of the previous generation, introverted, and not very fond of spending time with “real people”. It can be said that they are more consumption-oriented and unlike the previous generation, they do not like to read books and do not show much interest in socio-cultural activities. It is stated that the Z generation is mostly worn individually.
Internet youth are adolescents who use the Internet extensively (playing games, chatting, communicating with friends, eliminating loneliness) and thinking that the Internet has an important place in their lives.
Internet youth features include:
Seeing the Internet as a game and entertainment tool
Connecting with people they think agree with them via the Internet
In the virtual world Trying to meet the need for chat and sharing
Turning to the Internet due to boredom
Low participation in socio-cultural activities
Preferring more online friendships
Being a citizen
Internet youth’s gaining identity and personality is as effective as the social environment they live in, as well as the communication and interaction they establish in the virtual world. It has positive and negative aspects.
Positively; The internet is a place for young people to express themselves well and to realize themselves, due to its structure suitable for serving democratic purposes.
On the other hand, adolescents who do not have a specific purpose, cannot find meaningful activities to fill their time, experience family conflicts and cannot find a place in the peer environment, are more withdrawn, become inactive far from setting goals for themselves, and spend most of their time in the virtual environment. are the most obvious negative aspects of the internet.
What features of the Internet have made it so indispensable?
Internet is not labor-intensive, it’s lazy business.
Internet is not responsible.
Internet is a place of socialization, having similar interests is enough to communicate with people. Because of this, you can build relationships that wouldn’t exist in the real world.
No need to make eye contact. Some people avoid making eye contact. But on the Internet there is no need for this. You can talk for hours in your own environment without making eye contact with anyone.
It is easier to express yourself on the Internet. The internet is a unique opportunity for people who have difficulties in communicating in real life, cannot express their feelings and cannot open themselves emotionally.
Joining a group is very easy. It is important for everyone to belong, to be part of an organization. People who have difficulty in joining a group in real life feel that they are accepted and accepted by being included in the group they want with one click.
Dating on the Internet is easy.
Internet gives status and identity.
The Internet is mysterious, it gives freedom, it is unlimited.
Social control is weak.
Control is in the person. The person has the chance to experience all the situations that he cannot control or reach in real life in the virtual environment.
The Internet’s rewards abound.
Unlike television, you get what you want from the internet.
There are many choices on the Internet.
It is a way of coping with stress.
Due to all these factors, the virtual world has become indispensable for many people, especially young people and children. This situation brought together the concepts of “internet abuse” and “internet addiction”. Perhaps the most important thing for children and young people is these concepts. However, we know that it is not an easy task for parents in this regard. For this reason, our most basic goal should be to direct the internet to be used when necessary or for limited times…
