Abstract:

The present study aimed to identify psychological - social effects of emerging phenomena in the field of Internet and mobile technology among students in Eslamshahr Branch, Azad University. This was an applied research in terms of objective. This was a survey considering data collection method. The statistical population consisted of 18825 students in Eslamshahr Branch, Azad University. The sample size was estimated as 376 students using Cochran Formula. The individuals were selected using simple stratified random sampling method. Data collection tools consisted of a 70-item researcher-made questionnaire. Face and content validities were confirmed by professors and experts. Reliability of the tool was calculated as 0.81 using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS in two parts of descriptive and inferential statistics with Spearman correlation coefficient, chi-square and ANOVA. The findings showed a negative and significant relationship between using mobile phone and Internet and social interaction. The results of analysis of variance showed that the students who use Internet more than four hours are less socially interactive than the students who use Internet less than an hour. This showed a relationship between Internet usage and fashionism and consumerism tendencies. Fashionism and consumerism tendencies also increase with increased use of the Internet. No relationship was found between usage of mobile phones and fashionism and consumerism. On the other hand, students who used Internet more than four hours showes higher tendencies to fashionism - consumerism than the students who used their mobile phones less than an hour. The students who used their mobile phones more than four hours show high tendencies to fashionism - consumerism than the students who used Internet less than one hour and between one and two hours. There was a positive and significant relationship between Internet usage and unhealthy relations. There was no significant relationship between mobile phone usage and unhealthy relations. The results of analysis of variance showed no significant difference in unhealthy relations between various groups. The results showed that female students use Internet and mobile phone for entertainment more than male students. The results showed that single students use Internet and mobile phones for entertainment more than married students.

Keywords:

Psychological-social effects, emerging phenomena, Internet, mobile phone, students, Azad University.