Abstract
Social identity, which reveals the character, structure and definition of individuals and groups, examines not only the relations and dynamics between groups, but also the phenomena such as analogy, prejudice, internalization, in-group protection reflex, group rules, group identity, discrimination, opposition and intra-group dogmas. Social Identity Theory, built on social identity, helps to identify indicators of social identity with elements of social categorization, self-classification, social comparison, prejudices and group identification. Social identity, which is seen in all areas of life, is also found in online environments that have reached large masses in recent years. In the study, which has purpose of which is to determine the indicators of online social identity, tweets posted with the hashtags #istanbulsozlesmesi, #istanbulsozlesmesiyasatir and #istanbulsozlesmesiihanettir between April 1 and December 31, 2020, when the Istanbul Convention discussions were held, were analyzed by content analysis method. As a result of the analysis, 137 tweets out of 250 were categorized within the framework of traditional indicators, indicators on sexuality and rational indicators, while 113 tweets could not be gathered under any category. As a result of the content analysis, it was determined that individuals tweeted to protect the dynamics of the group they were in and to protect the existing traditional structure. It has been claimed that if other group dynamics are adopted, the future of the current group will be endangered, and the culture of other groups does not fit the group. Reasoning mechanisms have also been found. In the light of these findings, social categorization, self-classification, social comparison, prejudices and identification with the group were determined as indicators of social identity, and both hypotheses were confirmed.