Survey

In contemporary society, the influence of social media on young people, along with its impact on interpersonal dynamics and self-perception, is classified as a pervasive phenomenon that not only shapes everyday interactions, but also significantly shapes the construction identity and virtual socialization patterns. In particular, TikTok has become a prominent platform for the younger population. Taking this into account, the present research focuses on the effects of TikTok on the identity construction and virtual socialization of students between 18 and 26 years old enrolled at the University of Ankara. To empirically address these objectives, a total of 30 students from Ankara University actively participated in this research by completing a questionnaire based on the object of study. This instrument was designed to elucidate the intricate relationship between TikTok use and the resulting dynamics of identity formation, virtual socialization, and perceived popularity. Furthermore, the findings illuminate a discernible correlation between identity formation and virtual socialization, as well as between the latter and the subjective sense of popularity associated with TikTok use. Statistical analyses, performed using the Chi-square tool, demonstrated a significance level of less than 0.05, reinforcing the substantial interaction between these variables. These results not only provide valuable insights into the contemporary digital landscape, but also underscore the nuanced connections that shape adolescents' social and identity-related experiences in virtual environments.