Social media usage habits during Ramadan were revealed in the study conducted in collaboration with Üsküdar University and SODİMER. The survey, which covers all of Turkey, found that social media use increased during Ramadan. While 56 of the participants reported using social media between 1 and 3 hours a day, about 22 said they use social media for more than 4 hours a day. Do you approve of sharing iftar and suhoor meals on social media during Ramadan?” 65.7 of them answered “I don’t approve” to the question.

Social media use research was conducted in Ramadan in collaboration with the University of Üsküdar and the Social Media and Digital Security Education Research Center (SODİMER). 537 participants from across Turkey took part in the survey, which aims to determine individuals’ social media use during Ramadan. While 316 of the participants were women with a score of 58.8; 41.2 of the 221 male participants in the study. The mean age of the participants aged 15-65 was 34.6 years. Of the participants, 279 were married at 52 percent and 258 were single at 48 percent.

Üsküdar University Faculty Member, SODİMER Science Board Member Assoc. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal and SODİMER President Prof. Dr. Many results have been achieved in the research led by Levent Eraslan.

In the survey, in addition to demographic questions such as gender, age, marital status, education level, social media usage habits and preferences, WhatsApp usage habits, what time of day it is used more and what is shared, religious content and iftar time, prayer time , amount of fitra It was also examined whether social media is used to access certain information such as. The results of the questionnaire consisting of 20 questions were as follows:

Social media use increased during Ramadan

The study first examined how users’ social media use changed during Ramadan. For this purpose, the question is “Has your social media usage time increased during Ramadan?” 81 of the people answered yes to the question.

Social media use increases to 4 a.m. in Ramadan

While 56 of the individuals who participated in the survey stated that they use social media between 1 and 3 hours a day, about 22 indicated that they use social media for more than 4 hours a day.

Instagram became the most used social media platform during Ramadan

When the participants are asked which of the social media applications they use and they are asked to answer with multiple choices; Instagram came first (83.4). Youtube came in second (73.3) and Twitter came in third (53.4). Facebook usage rate was 40.5, Linkedin 24.1, Pinterest 17.4, Tik Tok 9.5, Snapchat 9.1.

SODIMER chairman Prof. Dr. Levent Eraslan and Assoc. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Unal evaluated the study results.

Earlier, in 2017, SODİMER President Prof. Dr. Levent Eraslan’s survey of social media use during Ramadan was conducted among 174 university students and graduates aged 21-55 years. As a result of the 2017 survey, visual-themed social media tools were more preferred. Instagram and YouTube emerged on social media platforms and WhatsApp was found to be used quite frequently as a messaging/communication tool. While similar results were seen in the 2022 survey, Twitter usage was also found to be in the 1950s. In the 2022 survey, the current news follow-up rate is more than 50. Thus, it was seen that the use of Twitter, the social media application that has become a first-hand news tool, is on the rise and is the third social media platform that is used.

In Eraslan’s earlier survey, almost the entire group criticized the sharing of iftar and sahur meals on social media during Ramadan, deeming it inaccurate and unnecessary. In 2022, while the majority was critical, a group of 25 was seen to answer that it could if it wasn’t an exaggeration. Those who did not approve were 65.7 percent.

The survey found that learning of religious content from social media has continued since 2017. In the 2022 study; Nearly half of the participants said they searched for answers to many questions on social media during the month of Ramadan, such as calculating the amount of zakat, fitra, looking for someone to give alms, and learning the Eid prayer time.

The results of the study in 2022 were as follows:

Social media usage times in Ramadan:

Less than 1 hour: 16.6 (89 people)

1-3 hours 56.1 (301 people)

4-6 hours: 22.3 (120 people)

More than 7 hours: 5 (27 people)

When the situation is investigated; Social media use of 4 hours or more per day exceeds 20. The number of people who spend 7 hours or more on social media is 27 (5).

Social media applications used:

Instagram: 83.4

Youtube: 73.3

Twitter: 53.4

Facebook: 40.5

LinkedIn: 24.1

Pinterest: 17.4

Tik Tok: 9.5

Snapchat: 9.1

When asked which of the social media applications they use and they are asked to answer with multiple choices; Instagram came first. (83.4). Youtube (73.3) took second place and Twitter took third place. (53.4). Facebook usage rate was 40.5, Linkedin 24.1, Pinterest 17.4, Tik Tok 9.5, Snapchat 9.1. The social media chart in Ramadan was as follows:

Primarily used social media applications:

Instagram: 56.1

Twitter: 19.9

Youtube: 11.4

Facebook: 7.3

LinkedIn: 3.3

Others are primarily preferred under 1.

When do you check social media more?

I check in all time zones, it doesn’t matter: 34.8

Between morning and iftar: 30.4

Between Iftar and Suhoor: 28.9

In the time period after sahur: 6

When will you share more on social media?

I check in all time zones, it doesn’t matter: 39.4

Between morning and iftar: 26.1

Between Iftar and Suhoor: 30.8

In the time period after sahur: 3.7

Do you approve of sharing iftar and suhoor meals on social media during Ramadan?

Reject: 65.7

I approve: 8.9

I approve, if not exaggerated: 25.5

Do you think your use of social media has increased during Ramadan?

Yes, raised: 81

No, not raised: 16.2

I suspend my use of social media during Ramadan: 2.8

Social Media Uses Before Iftar

Following the news: 54.7

For business: 34.1

Watch TV series/movies: 25.7

Recipe Rating: 24.1

Listening to music: 23.7

Next others: 22.6

To learn information like iftar, sahur, prayer times: 15.1

Take and share photos and videos: 11.6

Playing digital games: 11.4

Hymn, prayer, researching religious content: 11

Sports content: 10.6

Following the Clergy: 4.9

Quotes (quotes from the thinker): 4.9

Other option: under 1

Purposes of using social media after iftar

Following the news: 51.3

For business: 31.9

Watch TV series/movies: 30.8

Recipe revision: 8.4

Listening to music: 23.5

Next others: 24.6

To learn information like iftar, sahur, prayer times: 7.5

Take and share photos and videos: 11.4

Playing digital games: 13.1

Hymn, prayer, religious content research: 8.4

Sports content: 10.6

Following the Clergy: 5.4

Quotes (quotes from the thinker): 5.4

Other option: under 1

When we compare the purposes of social media use before and after iftar; While there is not much difference between the participants’ news follow-up rate (in the 1950s) and business use (in the 1930s), the percentage of pre-iftar use for prescription review purposes fell to 8.4 after iftar while it was 24.1.

After iftar, an increase was observed in the viewing figures for TV series/movies. This rate, which is 25.7 before iftar, becomes 30.8 iftar rate. However, there is no difference in the listening speed of music. Music listening habits did not differ before or after iftar.

It turned out that using social media for religious purposes was more for iftar. While the control of information such as iftar time, sahur time and prayer times is 15.1 (81 people) before iftar, it decreases to 7.5 (40 people) after iftar. Again, the number of hymns, prayers and religious content for iftar is higher (11; 59 people). after iftar; Religious content was followed by 8.4 (45 people).

Digital gaming increases slightly after iftar. While it is 11.4 before iftar, this rate becomes 13.1 after iftar. It was found that activities such as following sports, taking pictures and sharing did not differ before and after iftar.

Whatsapp usage

Messaging/Communicating: 92.9

Video call: 5.4

4 people indicated that they mainly used it to check the stories/status of others, and 3 people indicated that they made their classic (no video) calls via WhatsApp.

Has your use of social media changed during Ramadan?

Yes, differentiated: 21.7

No difference: 78.3

What were the differences in the use of social media during Ramadan?

I use less: 17.4

The usage time/time zone has been changed: 12.1

The content I shared has changed: 4.5

I use more: 8

Do you follow the social media accounts of the clergy during Ramadan?

Yes I follow: 18.8

No, I’m not following: 81.2

During the month of Ramadan, are you looking for answers to many questions on social media such as calculating the amount of zakat, fitra, finding someone to give charity, learning Eid prayer time?

Yes: 42.2

No: 57.8

Have there been any changes in watching TV series or movies during Ramadan?

Raised: 11.6

No increase: 75.2

I don’t watch TV series/movies in Ramadan: 13.2

Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency