Investigating the Relationship Between the Use of Social Media, Educational Decline, and Student Mental Health

Objective: The widespread presence of students in Telegram virtual social networks (VSNs) has provided a unique opportunity to track the effects of using this medium on their academic failure and mental health. Accordingly, this study explores whether the use of social media has a relationship with educational decline and student mental health. Methods: This correlation study was conducted in high schools in Khaf City, Iran, in the 2018-2019 academic year and included 1250 students (550 girls and 700 boys) who were selected via simple stratified random sampling. The data collection tools comprised a researcher-made questionnaire on the use of Telegram VSNs and the Keyes (2005) model of mental health. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 22, and related tests. Results: We found a significant relationship between the use of the Telegram network and educational decline. There is also a significant relationship between the use of the Telegram network and mental health. As the use of Telegram VSNs increases, there is an increase in fatigue in class and a reduction in study hours. Hence, this affects students’ educational decline directly and mental health adversely. Conclusion: We recommend that information about the positive and negative effects of Telegram VSNs should be provided to users, and measures should be taken in schools to introduce and create a culture and useful and scientific use of Telegram VSNs.