Facebook use and gratifications: A study directed to determining the facebook usage of generations X and Y in Turkey

Abstract

According to the uses and gratification theory (UGT), Facebook usage motivations of generation X and generation Y in Turkey may differ. For this reason, the youth's and middle-aged people's gratifications obtained from Facebook usage, their similarities and differences have emerged a research problem. Though, Facebook is a very popular social network site (SNS) among generation Y, the motivations of generation X is still a topic of interest. Results of the antecedent research on Facebook usage have been evaluated: Similarities and differences have been detected in the studies of Joinson (2008); Gülnar et. al. (2010); Zhang et. al. (2011); Köseoǧlu (2012). Motivations for Facebook use have been determined as: social surveillance, recognition, emotional support, social connect (network extension, network maintenance), entertainment, ease to use, narcissism and self expression. These dimensions have formed the basis of this study. Different from the antecedent research, this research carried out in Turkey has came up with the results that generation X has a motivation called "adapt to new challenges", and generation Y has a motivation called "freedom and courage" for Facebook usage.