An event titled “How Does the Digital World Shape Us?” was organized by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Social Work Department and Social Work Club. Dr. Zeynep Şehidoğlu, a faculty member from the New Media and Communication Department at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, attended the online event as a guest. Şehidoğlu addressed the effects of digital technologies on individuals and society. Recommending a digital detox against technology addiction, Şehidoğlu said; “If we can learn to use technology correctly as a tool, we can make our lives easier and build a healthier digital world.”
The online event was moderated by Elif Büşra Bal, President of the Social Work Club.
Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış: “A process of digitalism is taking place in the world”
The opening speech of the event was delivered by Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, Advisor to the Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Head of the Social Work Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Barış, drawing attention to the widespread adoption of digitalism in the world, stated; “A process of digitalism is taking place in the world, and this process has serious impacts on human values and human dignity, especially through social media. However, the intentions of young people like you to leave positive impacts on these platforms give me hope. I thank everyone who contributed to making these seminars accessible to students and participants. Furthermore, I am pleased that this event is supported by various platforms and that the synchronized voices discuss how we can better serve humanity…”
Beyond a simple habit, a need that has become the center of life…
Dr. Zeynep Şehidoğlu, a faculty member from the New Media and Communication Department at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, addressed the effects of digital technologies on individuals and society. Şehidoğlu said; “New media technologies have become an indispensable part of our lives. While technology initially aimed to simplify our lives as a tool, today it has become a power that transforms individuals. The first thing we do when we wake up in the morning is check our phones. How long can we go without our phones during the day? This is not a simple habit, but a need that has become the center of our lives…”
Dr. Şehidoğlu: “Try to stay without your phone for a day”
Recommending a digital detox against technology addiction, Şehidoğlu stated; “Staying away from digital tools at certain intervals allows individuals to better understand their own realities. For example, try to stay without your phone for a day. During this process, notice which app you miss the most and observe how these habits shape you. You might have thousands of followers on social media, but most of these relationships are superficial. When electricity goes out or social media accounts are closed, we realize that these connections also disappear instantly.”
Şehidoğlu also stated that virtual relationships established on digital platforms weaken social ties in the real world, inviting individuals to engage in more face-to-face communication.
“Technology is neither entirely bad nor entirely good”
Emphasizing that life can be made easier with the correct use of technology, Şehidoğlu said; “Technology is neither entirely bad nor entirely good. What matters is how we use it. If we can learn to use technology correctly as a tool, we can make our lives easier and build a healthier digital world.”