The Relationship between Using Information Technology and Communication and Social Skills of Primary School Students in Hamedan

This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between ICT usage and social skills in elementary students in Hamedan. Children use ICT tools for recreation، playing and learning and these tools affect their cognitive، physical and social process. Therefore، this study was conducted based on the following hypothesis: the use of ICT has relationship with social skills of elementary school students. The population of this research included elementary students’ parents in Hamedan. Out of this population a sample of 430 parents was selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was obtained based on 10 educational and ICT expert views and its reliability was estimated to be 77. 75. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and mean، standard deviation، Pearson correlation and Stepwise regression were calculated. The results of the study revealed a negative relationship between the components of ICT such as duration of use، years of use، computer game using، internet and mobile use and social skill components such as self-expression، cooperation، and relationship powers. A positive relationship was also found between ICT components and decision-making skills. The stepwise regression analysis showed that we can predict children''s social skills based on their ICT use.