Opportunities and Threats Analysis Caused by Social Media

Abstract

With the advent and widespread use of information and communication technologies, the need for information has become part of the daily work of individuals. Recently, social networks are one of the most important topics in cyberspace. This study seeks to identify and rank the opportunities and threats of social media for the society. Three hundred seventy students active in social networks are selected by clustering sampling method. A conceptual model is developed based on the review of theoretical literature and five opportunities of social network including electronic learning, filling leisure time, organizing social groups, getting to know about diverse cultures, possibility of conversation, as well as five threats include sharing anti values, abusing, dissemination of misinformation, internet addiction, and malacious communication have significant effect on the students.