VIRTUAL REALITY, REAL ADDICTION: SOCIAL EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The digital transformation of modern society began with the invention of computers and continues with the spread of the internet, the adoption of mobile technologies, and the development of artificial intelligence and big data analytics. This process has led to radical changes in access to information, communication, trade, and daily life. This transformation, which began with the development of electronic computers in the 1950s and 1960s, further accelerated with the opening of the internet to civilian use. The spread of mobile phones in the 2000s was an important turning point in digital transformation. Mobile technologies have made the internet constantly accessible and have radically changed the user experience. The establishment of Facebook in 2004 triggered the use of social media platforms and led individuals to move their social interaction processes to the digital environment. Social media has also changed the way individuals communicate and share information. A new era has begun in digital transformation since the 2010s with the use of big data analytics and artificial intelligence. These technologies have enabled the development of smarter and more effective systems by increasing the data processing and analysis capacities. Excessive use of smartphones, the internet, and social media platforms can become a behavioral addiction. This problematic use can weaken users’ social interactions, leading to social isolation, depression, sleep disruption, decreased social interactions, and feelings of loneliness. Some studies have suggested alternative terminologies considering the complexity of problematic phone use. While virtual reality may offer a potential solution to problematic phone use, it can also lead to the emergence of new problems. Therefore, understanding the social impacts of these technologies and their conscious use is critical for maintaining a healthy social structure in the digital age.

Keywords

• virtual reality
• digital transformation
• problematic smartphone use
• technology.

SANAL GERÇEKLİK, GERÇEK BAĞIMLILIK: TEKNOLOJİNİN TOPLUMSAL ETKİLERİ

Abstract

Modern toplumun dijital dönüşümü, bilgisayarların icadıyla başlayıp internetin yaygınlaşması, mobil teknolojilerin benimsenmesi ve yapay zeka ile büyük veri analitiğinin gelişmesiyle devam etmektedir. Bu süreç, bilgiye erişim, iletişim, ticaret ve günlük yaşamda köklü değişikliklere yol açmıştır. 1950’li ve 1960’lı yıllarda elektronik bilgisayarların geliştirilmesiyle başlayan bu dönüşüm, internetin sivil kullanımına açılmasını ile daha da hızlanmıştır. 2000’li yıllarda mobil telefonların yaygınlaşması dijital dönüşümde önemli bir dönüm noktası olmuştur. Mobil teknolojiler, internetin sürekli erişilebilir olmasını sağlamış ve kullanıcı deneyimini köklü bir şekilde değiştirmiştir. 2004 yılında Facebook’un kurulması, sosyal medya platformlarının kullanılmaya başlanmasını tetiklemiş ve bireylerin sosyal etkileşim süreçlerini dijital ortama taşınmasına yol açmıştır. Sosyal medya, bireylerin iletişim kurma ve bilgi paylaşma biçimlerini de değiştirmiştir. 2010’lardan itibaren büyük veri analitiği ve yapay zekanın kullanıma başlaması ile dijital dönüşümde yeni bir dönem başlamıştır. Bu teknolojiler, veri işleme ve analiz kapasitelerini artırarak daha akıllı ve etkili sistemlerin geliştirilmesine olanak tanımıştır. Akıllı telefon, internet ve sosyal medya platformlarının aşırı kullanımı davranışsal bir bağımlılık haline gelebilir. Bu problemli kullanım, kullanıcıların sosyal etkileşimlerini zayıflatarak sosyal izolasyon, depresyon, uyku düzeninin bozulması, sosyal etkileşimlerin azalması ve yalnızlık duygularını artırabilmektedir. Bazı araştırmalar, problemli akıllı telefon kullanımının karmaşıklığını göz önünde bulundurarak alternatif terminolojiler önermektedir. Sanal gerçeklik, problemli akıllı telefon kullanımına potansiyel bir çözüm sunabilirken, yeni sorunların ortaya çıkmasına da yol açabilir. Bu nedenle, bu teknolojilerin toplumsal etkilerini anlamak ve bilinçli bir şekilde kullanmak, dijital çağda sağlıklı bir toplumsal yapının sürdürülebilmesi için kritik öneme sahiptir.

Keywords

• sanal gerçeklik
• dijital dönüşüm
• problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı
• teknoloji.

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