Factors Affecting on the Use of Virtual Social Networks among Student-Teachers of Farhangian University

The use of virtual social networks has significantly increased in Iran and it has affected various aspects and dimensions of social life. The purpose of this article is to investigate the use of virtual social networks and its determinants among student-teachers of Farhangian university. Data were collected using web-based survey and multi-stage sampling method with a sample of 900 people in 2019. The results showed that the social networks of Telegram, WhatsApp and Instagram are among the most popular virtual social networks among the respondents. Most of respondents access to virtual social networks by mobile phones. Almost half of the respondents spend 2-4 hours a day in virtual social networks. The results of multiple regression and path analysis showed that the most important factors affecting the use of virtual social networks are the attitude, propensity, and trust in virtual social networks. Key words: Cyber space, Virtual social networks, Trust, Gender, Student-Teachers