Social Media, Cognitive Fatigue, and Political Apathy: The Implications of Digital Transformation for Youth

Abstract

Digital transformation is reshaping how individuals access information, consume media, and form political attitudes. While the proliferation of social media platforms accelerates information flows, it also exposes individuals to constant stimulation, heightening cognitive fatigue and mental exhaustion. This study examines the impact of digital transformation and social media–induced cognitive overload on young people’s political interest, trust, and apathy. Adopting a mixed-methods design, the research draws on four focus group interviews and a survey of 320 students at Işık University. Qualitative findings reveal that intensive social media use fosters political indifference, weakens verification practices, and deepens distrust. Quantitative analyses confirm these patterns: the Individual and Political Perceptions scale proved to be two-dimensional, comprising conspiracy beliefs and populist orientations as distinct yet related factors. Structural modeling further shows that information overload increases social media fatigue, which in turn heightens boredom and channels its effects onto political perceptions. Boredom strongly predicts conspiratorial tendencies and also shows some positive effect on populist preferences. Combined with evidence of algorithmic filtering and disinformation, the results highlight the critical importance of enhancing digital media literacy to mitigate cognitive strain, counter misperceptions, and strengthen democratic resilience.

Keywords

• digital transformation
• congitive fatigue
• social media
• political indifference
• apathy

Sosyal Medya, Bilişsel Yorgunluk ve Siyasi Apati: Dijital Dönüşümün Gençler Üzerindeki Yansımaları

Abstract

Dijital dönüşüm, bireylerin bilgiye erişim biçimlerini, medya tüketim alışkanlıklarını ve siyasal tutumlarını köklü biçimde dönüştürmektedir. Sosyal medya platformlarının yaygınlaşması bilgi akışını hızlandırmakla birlikte, bireyleri sürekli uyarıma maruz bırakarak bilişsel yorgunluk ve zihinsel tükenmişliği artırmaktadır. Bu çalışma, dijital dönüşümün ve sosyal medya kaynaklı bilişsel yüklenmenin gençlerin siyasal ilgisi, güven algısı ve apati eğilimleri üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektedir. Karma yöntemle yürütülen araştırma, Işık Üniversitesi öğrencileriyle gerçekleştirilen dört odak grup görüşmesi ve 320 katılımcıdan toplanan anket verisine dayanmaktadır. Nitel gözlemler, sosyal medya kullanımının apatetik eğilimleri tetiklediğini, bilgi doğrulama süreçlerini zayıflattığını ve güven eksikliğini derinleştirdiğini göstermiştir. Nicel analizler, bu bulguları istatistiksel olarak doğrulamıştır. Yapısal çözümlemeler, bilgi yükünün sosyal medya yorgunluğunu artırdığını, bunun da sıkılganlık üzerinden politik algıları şekillendirdiğini göstermiştir. Özellikle sıkılganlık komplocu eğilimleri besleyen güçlü bir mekanizma olarak öne çıktığı gibi, daha sınırlı da olsa popülist yönelimleri de artırıcı bir etki göstermektedir. Bulgular, algoritmaların bireyleri belirli içeriklere yönlendirmesi ve dezenformasyonun yaygınlığı ile birleştiğinde, dijital medya okuryazarlığının geliştirilmesinin hem bilişsel yükü azaltmada hem de demokratik kapasiteyi güçlendirmede önem taşıdığını vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Dijital dönüşüm
• bilişsel yorgunluk
• sosyal medya
• siyasi ilgisizlik
• apati

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