مطالعات رسانههای نوین (Dec 2023)
Pathology of the Role of Telegram on Students' Isolation and Disorder in Social Interactions; a Case Study: High School Students in Tehran
Abstract
The growing prominence of virtual space, combined with the widespread use of tools like Telegram, has brought about significant changes in how citizens, particularly students, interact with each other. The primary objective of this research is to study the consequences of Telegram's role in creating social isolation and disrupting students' social interactions. The study was conducted on a sample of high school students in Tehran City in 2017-1398, numbering 384 people, and employed a descriptive-correlation research method. Data collection was performed using both library and field research methods, with the use of a questionnaire to gather data. The results indicate that the use of Telegram has a significant effect on social isolation among students in Tehran, and there is a strong positive relationship between the two factors. This occurs due to insufficient management of the Telegram platform, as well as a lack of proper cultural awareness in using the application. IntroductionIntroduction:Indeed, the rise of cyberspace and the usage of communication tools such as Telegram has brought about numerous changes for people in terms of lifestyle and interaction. It is particularly relevant for teenagers and young people, and its significance in the development of society cannot be overstated. In recent times, a significant amount of focus has been placed on communication, social networks, internet spaces, and communication technologies. However, it is crucial to address the severe damages associated with this phenomenon. It's essential to acknowledge that many personal and social harms are concealed in cyberspace. Social isolation is one of these major issues. Social isolation refers to a lack of social connection to society, wherein an individual holds little to no faith in the valuation mechanism and socialreward system. This often leads to the agreement with everything deemed valid and valuable according to societal standards. Young people hold great significance in every society, and they are considered its foundation. All efforts of a society are directed towards investing in and nurturing this valuable group. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard these national values and prevent factors that might endanger or harm them. To this end, we must strive to protect and care for them while promoting their well-being and progress. It is crucial to recognize that students are one of the most vulnerable segments of society in this domain. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of Telegram in the social isolation and disruptions in social interactions among students.Method:The research method employed in this descriptive study is correlation, and by utilizing calculated correlation coefficients, the researchers have constructed a structural model. The statistical population of the study consists of all high school students in Tehran for the academic year 2017-2018. Based on the Cochran formula, the sample size was determined to be 384 individuals. In this study, Spearman's statistics and Lisrel's structural equations are applied to calculate the frequency percentage, density percentage, and establish relationships and test hypotheses. A questionnaire serves as the primary tool used to gather data in this research. Three distinct questionnaires, designed for the topics of social network pathology and disorders in interaction and isolation, were utilized. The questionnaire for pathology in social networks is founded on the researcher's model, containing 26 questions that focus on the four prominent areas of social network harms, namely: 1. Social-communicative harms; 2. Behavioral-individual harms; 3. Economic harms; 4. Cultural harms. The interaction disorder questionnaire was constructed by the researcher, which includes the following primary components: 1. Social trust disorder in interpersonal communication and communities; 2. Social cohesion disorder; 3. Coordination disorder; 4. Participation disorder in social and communication activities.And finally, the questionnaire for social isolation, devised by the researcher, encompasses seven essential aspects, including: 1. Feeling lonely; 2. Feeling powerless or helpless; 3. Feeling despair or meaninglessness; 4. Reducing social tolerance; 5. Feeling abnormal; 6. Experiencing social isolation; 7. Feeling alienated. The study utilizes two methods for data collection: library and field research methods. Findings:The outcomes of the research demonstrate that the detrimental aspects of social networks and the escalation of social isolation can significantly influence social interaction and social isolation among high school students in Tehran, with a special focus on the role of Telegram in this phenomenon. The research findings also indicate that the harmful facets of social networks and disruptions in social interactions, particularly in the context of Telegram's role in social interaction or isolation, can have a substantial influence on high school students in Tehran. Furthermore, the study found that a substantial correlation exists between students' isolation and disarray and their utilization of the Telegram social network. Conclusion:Based on the statistical data obtained from the research, the second subhypothesis titled "There exists a connection between the detrimental aspects of social networks and disruption in social interaction" holds the strongest correlation coefficient of (0.910). This implies a robust and substantial relationship between the mentioned factors. This revelation suggests that, amongst high school students in Tehran, the most significant harm that can be ascribed to social networks is social interaction disruption. In essence, the improper and uninformed utilization of social networks has contradictory outcomes compared to its surface appearance. This phenomenon leads people to be more detached from one another, limiting their communication to the realms of virtual space, where it lacks tangibility, is imperceptible, and remains invisible and manageable. This point highlights the adverse impact of social network use on interpersonal relationships due to the lack of recognition among individuals.As a result, the absence of verbal communication can lead to strained connections and failures in relationships. Furthermore, this communication deficiency can cause individuals to encounter challenges in social, organizational, and work settings, with a marked weakness in collective speech. The disruption of social interactions can result in the disruption of social etiquette and norms. Various aspects of communication, such as trust, shared conventions, and interactions, which emerge as a result of optimal communication and participation among members of society, can be compromised. This, in turn, can create social problems and undermine the harmonious functioning of the community. Social isolation will likely have numerous adverse effects across various domains, including cultural, economic, and more. The affected individual may withdraw from society and others, leading to the inability to fulfill their basic needs. Specifically, this can manifest in the form of a diminished sense of belonging to others, reduced acceptance by others, and a weakened sense of group membership. The findings strongly suggest that the usage of Telegram as a social network has a significant influence on the formation of social isolation among high school students in Tehran.
Keywords
