From Book to Instagram, Who is Raising Children? Family in the Digital World

Nermin Bilici; Duygu Yalman Polatlar

doi:10.33709/ictimaiyat.1702220

TR EN

Kitap’tan İnstagram’a Çocukları Kim Yetiştiriyor? Dijital Dünyada Aile

Öz

Medyanın ebeveynlik uygulamalarını şekillendirmedeki rolü çağdaş toplumda giderek daha önemli hale gelmiştir. Ebeveynlerin çocuk yetiştirme kararları çeşitli medya kaynaklarından gelen bir bilgi seliyle şekillenmektedir. Özellikle sosyal medyanın yükselişi, etkileşimli özelliklere sahip alternatif bir kamusal alan yaratarak ebeveynler için yeni fırsatlar ve zorluklar ortaya çıkarmıştır. Sosyal platformlar arasında Instagram, dijital ebeveynlik için tercih edilen bir bilgi kaynağı olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Bu makale, ebeveynlerin çocuk yetiştirme konusundaki bilgi kaynaklarının zaman içinde nasıl değiştiğini, özellikle Y Kuşağı'na (Milenyumlar) özel bir dikkat göstererek incelemektedir. Fenomenolojik bir çalışma olan araştırma, dijital etnografya ve görüşmeler yoluyla toplanan verilerden yararlanmaktadır. Bulgular, kitapların geleneksel medyada bilimsel ve güvenilir bir kaynak olarak görülmeye devam etmesine rağmen, günümüzde ebeveynlerin bilgiye kolay erişim, gerçek zamanlı etkileşim, görsel içerik, ebeveyn topluluklarına katılım ve aidiyet ve güven duygusu nedeniyle sosyal medyayı tercih edebileceğini göstermektedir. Aynı zamanda, sosyal medya içeriğinin, aşırı bilgi yükü, potansiyel gizlilik ihlalleri ve fenomenler ve akran baskısı tarafından yönlendirilen yetersizlik duyguları nedeniyle ebeveynlerde güvensizlik yarattığı bulunmuştur. Bu makale, çocuk yetiştirme bağlamında ebeveynler ve medya arasındaki dinamikleri daha iyi anlayarak literatüre katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

İnstagram , Sosyal Medya , Dijital Ebeveynlik , Çocuk Yetiştirme , Bilgi Kaynakları , Dijital Etnografi

From Book to Instagram, Who is Raising Children? Family in the Digital World

Abstract

The role of media in shaping parenting practices has become increasingly important in contemporary society. Parents' decisions about raising children are shaped by a flood of information from various media sources. The rise of social media, in particular, has introduced new opportunities and challenges for parents by creating an alternative public sphere with interactive features. Among social platforms, Instagram stands out as a preferred source of information for digital parenting. This article examines how parents' sources of information on child-rearing have changed over time, with special attention to Generation Y (Millennials). A phenomenological study, the work draws on data collected through digital ethnography and interviews. The findings show that, while books continue to be regarded as a scientific and trustworthy source within traditional media, parents today may prefer social media for ease of access to information, real-time interactions, visual content, participation in parenting communities, and a sense of belonging and trust. At the same time, social media content is found to create insecurity in parents due to information overload, potential privacy violations, and feelings of inadequacy driven by influencers and peer pressure. This article aims to contribute to the literature by better understanding the dynamics between parents and media in the context of child-rearing.

Keywords

Instagram , Social Media , Digital Parenting , Child Rearing , Information Sources , Digital Ethnography

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Family Sociology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nermin Bilici ^*
0000-0001-8402-9641
Türkiye

Duygu Yalman Polatlar
0000-0002-9030-5814
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 30, 2025

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: Aile Özel Sayısı

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33709/ictimaiyat.1702220

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA29ZX82PL

APA

Bilici, N., & Yalman Polatlar, D. (2025). From Book to Instagram, Who is Raising Children? Family in the Digital World. İçtimaiyat, Aile Özel Sayısı, 54-74. https://doi.org/10.33709/ictimaiyat.1702220