The Role of Digital Media Ecosystem in Forming Self-Identity of Imam Hatip School Students in Turkey

Neoliberal economic policies implemented by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey empowered the modernization process which is one of the main dynamics of transforming traditional societies. As a result of this socio-economic transformation, new institutions and technical developments evolved, without any relation to religion or its institutions (Zubaida, 2011). In fact, this course has accelerated the individualization process of the religiously educated Generation Z in Turkey, whereas the significance of collective religious identity shrank (Kara, 2014). The expansion of social media platforms has influenced young people’s relationship with religion and faith. However, after the Gezi Parki protests in 2013, the government started using a more populist discourse with regard to religious and nationalist symbols. This type of political communication had a crucial impact on the political arena. This research sheds light on the result of a qualitative analysis, based on interviews conducted with Imam Hatip school students in Turkey. The results of these in-depth interviews show how digital media is creating a new ecosystem based on self-identity (Giddens, 1991).