They Represented Turkey with Projects on the Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Mental Health

Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences English Psychology Department students Nehir Akdoğan and Cemre Turan achieved significant success in the international 'CIVIS Creathon Contest' held within the scope of 'CIVIS Days 2026' in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The students successfully represented Üsküdar University by participating in the international platform with their innovative projects addressing the effects of social media algorithms on mental health.

2nd-year English Psychology Department student Nehir Akdoğan and 4th-year student Cemre Turan continue their education at Tübingen University in Germany within the scope of the Erasmus+ program.

Nehir Akdoğan and Cemre Turan qualified to participate in the CIVIS Creathon Contest, held within the scope of the CIVIS Days 2026 events, which brought together Europe's leading research universities, from June 10-12, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania.

They Successfully Completed the Competitive Evaluation Process

The CIVIS Creathon Contest, an international student competition, was held this year within the framework of the disinformation theme. As a result of evaluations in the competition, where students from different countries applied with their teams and projects, Nehir Akdoğan and Cemre Turan were among the selected teams with their developed project.

The students had the opportunity to present their project titled “Reality Check: Breaking the Cycle of Algorithmic Hypochondria” before the international jury and participants within the scope of the competition.

Innovative Solution to the Relationship Between Social Media and Mental Health

The project developed by Üsküdar University students addresses cyberchondria and the tendency for unfounded self-diagnosis created by social media algorithms in individuals.

The project, which brings together Clinical Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, and Media Policies; offers a multi-layered solution model to prevent the spread of incorrect health information on digital platforms, the increase in users' health anxieties, and erroneous self-diagnosis processes.

The young researchers aimed to draw attention to a current and global problem by addressing the effects of social media on mental health from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Representation Success in One of Europe's Important Academic Networks

The event, organized within the CIVIS network that brings together Europe's prestigious universities, aims to enable young people to develop innovative solutions to global problems and strengthen international collaborations.

Nehir Akdoğan and Cemre Turan’s participation in this prestigious platform once again demonstrated that Üsküdar University students can take active roles in international academic networks and achieve global visibility with interdisciplinary projects.

Üsküdar University Students Make a Difference on International Platforms

The participation of Üsküdar University students with their innovative project developed in the CIVIS Creathon Contest, one of Europe's important academic events, is considered a concrete indicator of the university's vision for research, internationalization, and student-focused success.
Nehir Akdoğan and Cemre Turan, who attracted the attention of international academic circles with their project developed around social media, artificial intelligence, and mental health, also made a significant contribution to Üsküdar University's global academic visibility with this achievement.