Transformation of condolence in the digital age: a case study on Turkish culture

Abstract

This article aims to demonstrate the practice of condolence for digital immigrants in Turkey. Although digital media technologies expand communication opportunities and networks, they also cause changes in social relations between people. Versatile communication has become possible thanks to digital media technologies as opposed to conventional media’s non-interactive or unilateral communication. Nowadays, it is possible to send a message to dozens of people with just one click. As such, new attitudes and behaviors are observed in society along with the developing possibilities of digital media. The study hypothesizes that “digital immigrants that use social media platforms in Turkey have xperienced a change in the practice of condolences.” In this regard, the emphasis put on the changes in condolence practices across Turkey is discussed along with new Internet technologies. We interviewed 15 participants between the ages of 52 and 69 between April and June 2020. According to the findings, many participants adopt traditional condolence practices, but they do not devalue the condolence practices that occur on social media. We observed that digital condolence practices have started to coexist with traditional condolence practices. However, this change should not be perceived as the traditional one is beginning to be erased or disappeared