Social Networking Effects on Jordanian Students

Abstract

ICT sector is a powerful engine for growth and development of other sectors thus it gains the priority in all life dimensions from economics to social and has further impacted the cultural and political aspects. Social networks bring people together to share ideas, knowledge, and experience. Despite its popularity, Social networks can have positive and negative effects both on its users individually as well as their interactions with others collectively. Other factors analyzed include sustainability awareness and professional attitudes. The authors hope that this study will lead to emphasizing positive effects and reducing negative effects. A survey was published over the Internet and data were collected electronically and analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Over 750 participated in the survey divided about equally between male and female with the age of vast majority falling between 18-32 years and majoring in IT related fields. The study findings show that male and female young IT students' use of social networking and Internet is limited to rudimentary practices such as email and socialization. This reflected on the negative effects as well on social and physical development and away from the more serious issues of cognitive development and security.