Interaction in the Cyberspace and its Effect on the Youth's Religious Identity (An Analysis of the Results of a Survey Carried out in the University of Kurdistan)

Religion as a dynamic phenomenon is the most important element of cultural identity in the current situation of Iran and has an important role in shaping the youths’ identity. Cyberspace has changed social values and has made wide changes in the ways of shaping identities of individuals and groups. University students have been considered as reference groups. Modern communications technologies, such as web, chat and online group discussions, make it possible for them to know each other and expand their interactional field.This article focuses on the effects of cyberspace on religious identity of students in Kurdistan University. The survey studied a sample of 400 students in University of Kurdistan using questionnaire. According to the findings of the research, cyberspace has to some extent detached the students from their religious identity. The more access to the Internet, the more detached the students get from religious identity. Among different aspects and elements of religious identity, cyberspace has mostly affected consequential and experimental aspects rather than the cognitive ones.