ONLINE SLAVERY

Project description

Development in ICT has introduced a new communication medium in 21st century i.e. “social media”, which is defined as “Computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks”. It has spread among societies rapidly, and has become one of the basic communication mediums. On daily basis, the time spent on social media is growing day by day, and a number of social, physical, psychological problems occur under the brand new concept: “Social Media Addiction”.

Social media addiction is a phrase sometimes used to refer to someone spending too much time using social media – so much so that it interferes with other aspects of daily life. There's no official medical recognition of social networking addiction as a “disease” or disorder. Still, the cluster of behaviors associated with heavy or excessive use of social media has become the subject of much discussion and research. Recently, social media addiction cases become subject of psychological or neurological studies. Plenty of clinicians have observed symptoms of anxiety, depression and some psychological disorders in people who spend too much time online. In this context, a "social media addict" could be considered "someone with a compulsion to use social media to excess for hours on end".

Researchers at Chicago University concluded that social media addiction can be stronger than addiction to cigarettes and alcohol, following an experiment in which they recorded the cravings of several hundred people for several weeks. Media cravings ranked ahead of cravings for cigarettes and alcohol. Many academic studies indicate risks of social media addiction, indicating significant findings. Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. Modern educational strategies should focus on how to use the most precious resource in human life i.e. “time”. Therefore, time management at school era is of the utmost importance.

The project “Social Media Addiction, Social Life's Extinction - Online Slavery" has been developed in order to create awareness and multidimensional understanding on the irretrievable negative effects of social media addiction of students. The basic approach of the project is protecting young people from harmful effects of addiction and promoting offline (non-cyber) activities. In order to achieve its goals, the project addresses students (target group), teachers, parents, and school administrations throughout implementation. The project combines the power of educational authorities with related institutions (NGOs, research centers, technology centers, social activity promoters etc), blends good practices done so far, and offers practical activities.

The project also supports target groups with both educational services (questionnaires, seminars) and with practical actions (campaigns, contests, tournaments, clubs, outdoor activities), and promotes face-to-face peer interaction in order to avoid excessive use of social media. Built up in a “regional partnership” concept, “Social Media Addiction, Social Life's Extinction” project offers the partnership activities in 3 participating regions: Kahramanmaras (Turkey), Alzira (Spain), and Lodz (Poland). 

News

For news and updates on the project go to our facebook page here.