Social media impacts youth psychology and language habits

Experts are highlighting the psychological and linguistic shifts occurring in younger generations due to social media usage. Dr. Ali Ruhan Çelik, Head of the Psychology Department at Kocaeli Health and Technology University, warns that the desire for likes, followers, and digital income is driving youth to perform unusual behaviors and compromise their privacy during live broadcasts to gain social acceptance.

Çelik notes that while the world is more connected than ever, individuals are experiencing increased loneliness as they seek social validation through virtual platforms rather than face-to-face interaction. He emphasizes that digital approval is increasingly being equated with personal success.

Complementing these psychological concerns, educator Heves Sönmez Piro observes changes in how youth interact with language and literature. While Piro disputes the claim that young people have stopped reading entirely, she notes that the nature of reading has shifted. The rise of emojis, abbreviations, and short-form video content has altered vocabulary and reduced the time dedicated to deep, long-form reading, potentially narrowing the intellectual world of those who rely heavily on rapid digital consumption.