Abstract
Introduction:The current research was conducted to examine the effect of “Loneliness”, on time spent in Social Networking Sites (S.N.S), main reasons for S.N.S use, and its related behaviors.Materials and Methods:156 students of Shiraz University voluntarily participated in this research. Loneliness was assessed usingthe UCLA Loneliness scale. 25% of highest scoring students reported that they were lonely whereas 25% of the lowest scoring students were considered to be non-lonely. The positive and negative reasons of using S.N.S were assessed based on Reasons for Internet Use Scale, and internet behaviors were assessed based on Scale of Internet Behaviors.Results:There was no difference in time spent in S.N.S as well as the positive and negative reasons of using S.N.S (contrary to literature), but internet behaviors showed a significant difference between “lonely” and “non-lonely” individuals. “Lonely” and “non-lonely” individuals showed a significant difference in “social aspect” of S.N.S behaviors. There was also a significant difference between “Lonely” and “non-Lonely” individuals in “Negative impact” of S.N.S behaviors. Yet, there seemed to be no difference in “competency and convenience aspect” of S.N.S behaviors.Conclusions:This study suggested that there is no difference between lonely and non-lonely individuals in reasons for using S.N.S and time spent in S.N.S. This finding stands contrary to previous research findings and general literature on the subject In other words, what drives people to S.N.S at the first place shows no significant difference between lonely and non-lonely individuals while after attending S.N.S, social behavior of lonely individuals shows a significant difference which is consistently enhanced online. Lonely people also significantly develop internet-related problems in their daily functioning, including interference with real life socializing.
Highlights
The current research was conducted to examine the effect of “Loneliness”, on time spent in Social Networking Sites (S.N.S), main reasons for S.N.S use, and its related behaviors
The positive and negative reasons of using S.N.S were assessed based on Reasons for Internet Use Scale, and internet behaviors were assessed based on Scale of Internet Behaviors
There was no difference in time spent in S.N.S as well as the positive and negative reasons of using S.N.S, but internet behaviors showed a significant difference between “lonely” and “non-lonely” individuals
Summary
The current research was conducted to examine the effect of “Loneliness”, on time spent in Social Networking Sites (S.N.S), main reasons for S.N.S use, and its related behaviors. Using Social Networking Sites (S.N.S) could be considered as one of the most common activities of today’s world. The research conducted in the following years focused on the following question: what, if any pathological effects do preference for online communications have on offline social relationships, and what outcomes may result (Joison, 2004; Thayer & Ray, 2006). Much of the existing academic research on S.N.S focused on privacy concern and identity presentation, looking at the amount of information and the lack of privacy control enhanced due to problematic Internet Use (PIU) (Grass & Acquisti, 2005). It is argued that user maybe putting themselves at risk both online (e.g. stalking) and offline (e.g. Identity theft)
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