The Role of Online Social Networks in Social Movements: Social Polarization and Violations against Social Unity and Privacy of Individuals in Turkey

As a matter of the fact that online social networks like
Twitter, Facebook and MySpace have experienced an extensive
growth in recent years. Social media offers individuals with a tool for
communicating and interacting with one another. These social
networks enable people to stay in touch with other people and
express themselves. This process makes the users of online social
networks active creators of content rather than being only consumers
of traditional media. That’s why millions of people show strong
desire to learn the methods and tools of digital content production
and necessary communication skills. However, the booming interest
in communication and interaction through online social networks and
high level of eagerness to invent and implement the ways to
participate in content production raise some privacy and security
concerns.
This presentation aims to open the assumed revolutionary,
democratic and liberating nature of the online social media up for
discussion by reviewing some recent political developments in
Turkey. Firstly, the role of Internet and online social networks in
mobilizing collective movements through social interactions and
communications will be questioned. Secondly, some cases from Gezi
and Okmeydanı Protests and also December 17-25 period will be
presented in order to illustrate misinformation and manipulation in
social media and violation of individual privacy through online social
networks in order to damage social unity and stability contradictory
to democratic nature of online social networking.


Authors:



References:
[1] N. Eltantawy and Julie B. Wiest, "Social Media in the Egyptian
Revolution: Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory”,
International Journal of Communication, vol. 5, 2011, pp. 1207- 1224.
[2] N. M. Rishel, "Digitizing Deliberation: Normative Concerns for the Use
of Social Media in Deliberative Democracy”, Administrative Theory &
Praxis, vol. 33, no: 3, 2011, pp. 411-432.
[3] E. Borozov, "Why Social Movements Should Ignore Social Media”,
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/112189/social-media-doesntalways-
help-social-movements, accessed on 16 May 2014.
[4] M. A. Karaömeroğlu, "Gezi Direnişi’nin Bir Belası: Sosyal Medya”,
http://asimkaraomerlioglu.com/blog/2013/11/gezi-direnisinin-bir-belasisosyal-
medya/, accessed on 8 May 2014.
[5] O. Tkacheva, L. H. Schwartz, M. C. Libicki, J. E. Taylor, J. Martini and
C. Baxter, Internet Freedom and Political Space, Washington: National
Defense Research Institute, 2013.
[6] W. L. Bennett, "The Personalization of Politics: Political Identity, Social
Media, and Changing Patterns of Participation”, ANNALS, AAPSS, 644,
Nov. 2012 pp.20-39.
[7] M. E. Babacan, İ. Haşlak and İ. Hara, "Sosyal Medya ve Arap Baharı”,
Akademik İncelemeler Dergisi, vol. 6, no. 2, p. 88, 2011.
[8] N. Eltantawy and J. B. Wiest, "Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution:
Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory”, International Journal of
Communication, vol. 5, pp. 1207-1224, 2011.
[9] M. E. Babacan, İ. Haşlak and İ. Hara, "Sosyal Medya ve Arap Baharı”,
Akademik İncelemeler Dergisi, vol. 6, no. 2, 2011 pp. 63-91.
[10] Y. Benkler, The Wealth of Networks How Social Production Transforms
Markets and Freedom, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006.
[11] S. J. Wallsten. "Regulation and Internet Use in Developing Countries",
Economic Development and Cultural Change, vol. 53, no. 2, 2005, pp.
501-523.
[12] Turkish Statistical Institute, "Hanehalkı Bilişim Teknolojileri Kullanım
Araştırması", 2013-Press Release dated on 22 August 2013,
http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do?id=13569, accessed on 20
May 2014.
[13] M. E. Babacan, İ. Haşlak and İ. Hara, "Sosyal Medya ve Arap Baharı”,
Akademik İncelemeler Dergisi, vol. 6, no. 2, 2011, pp.63-91.
[14] A. Yılmaz, "Sosyal Medya Kullanımında Güncel Tartışmalar: Üniversite
Öğrencileri Örneğinde Mahremiyet-Kamusal Alan İlişkisi”, Global
Media Journal: Turkish Edition, vol. 3 no. 5, Fall 2012, pp. 246-264.
[15] Y. Benkler, The Wealth of Networks How Social Production Transforms
Markets and Freedom, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006.
[16] C. Zhang, J. Sun, X. Zhu and Y. Fang, "Privacy and Security for
Online Social Networks: Challenges and Opportunities”, IEEE
Network, July/August 2010, pp. 13-18.
[17] Hürriyet Newspaper, "Tape Yağıyor”, http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/
gundem/25973247.asp, accessed on 15 May 2014.
[18] B. Umutlu, "Toplum Olarak Tapeleniyor muyuz?”, Habertürk
Newspaper, 28 March 2014,
http://www.haberturk.com/polemik/haber/933028-toplum-olaraktapeleniyor-
muyuz/4, accessed on 17 May 2014.
[19] H. H. Perritt Jr., "The Internet as a Threat to Sovereignty? Thoughts on
the Internet's Role in Strengthening National and Global Governance,"
Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, Article 4, 1998,
pp. 423-442.
[20] C. C. Yang and T. D. Ng, "Terrorism and Crime Related Weblog Social
Network: Link, Content Analysis and Information Visualization”,
Intelligence and Security Informatics, IEEE, 23-24 May 2007, pp.55-58.
[21] Okmeydanı Demonstrations was launched on the pretext of protesting
the death of Berkin Elvan after Gezi Protests and the commemorating
301 miners died in Soma Mine Accident.
[22] Türkiye Newspaper, "Bir Twitter Yalanı Daha! Okmeydanı Değil Irak”,
http://www.turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/dunya/159169.aspx, accessed on 27
May 2014.
[23] Milliyet Newspaper, "Gezi Parkı'yla İlgili Sosyal Medyada Dolaşan 17
Yalan”, http://www.milliyet.com.tr/gezi-parki-yla-ilgilisosyal/
gundem/detay/1717549/default.htm, accessed on 25 May 2014.
[24] Mynet News, "Polis Panzerinin Ezdiği İddia Edilen Vatandaş”
http://www.mynet.com/haber/foto-analiz/polis-panzerinin-ezdigi- iddiaedilen-
vatandas-699892-15, accessed on 25 May 2014.
[25] Zaman Newspaper, "Gezi Parkı Ne Yalanlar Gördü!”,
http://www.zaman.com.tr/gundem_gezi-parki-ne-yalanlargordu_
2102895.html, accessed on 25 May 2014.
[26] İnsan Haber, "Gezi Sürecinde Sosyal Medya Dezenformasyonları”
http://www.insanhaber.com/insan-ozel/gezi-surecinde-sosyal- medyadezenformasyonlari-
h19149.html, accessed on 25 May 2014.
[27] İnsan Haber, "Gezi Sürecinde Sosyal Medya Dezenformasyonları”
http://www.insanhaber.com/insan-ozel/gezi-surecinde-sosyal- medyadezenformasyonlari-
h19149.html, accessed on 25 May 2014.
[28] Tumblr, "Gezi: Gerçekler”http://gezigercekler.tumblr.com/page/2,
accessed on 25 May 2014.