A nationwide survey carried out by the İzmir-based Yaşar University has revealed that Turkish users invariably reflect their day to day problems on social media platforms, most notably on Facebook. With around 500 participants, the survey has shown that a great number of users immediately delete their followers if they feel they were cheated or betrayed by them. A majority of participants also reported that a follower's presence and daily behavior are important in deciding on whether he should be on the user's friend list or not.
"Based on the survey results, there are striking similarities between continuing a friendship on social media and in normal life. The reasons for avoiding a person as a friend in daily and social life, changes according to age," said Ferah Onat of Yaşar University's Public Relations and Advertising Department, also one of the study's authors.
Comparing the survey results with similar ones in Germany and the U.S., the research team has found that differences in political and religious views have decisive effects on keeping friends on social media for these two countries.
"For Turkey, this is quite low with around 20 percent," Onat continued. Another interesting conclusion is that Turkish users find it irritating to see a follower having continuous shares. "This rate is also high in the U.S. with 50 percent," Onat noted. The research team said that the daily life and social presence increasingly intertwine with each other.
Finding a person as cold or distasteful is another reason why a user is more tempted to disregard him as a social media friend. The survey results also showed that arguing with someone, divorcing or breaking up are also influential factors.
"Being offended, underestimated or insulted are red lines for Turkish people. This is because users also behave sensitive on social media. They see such platforms as an extension of real life and continue to act in the same way," Onat said.
