An Investigation of the role of Cyber Networks in Cultural Identity of Students at the University of Isfahan

The fast growth of cyber networks has exposed students to various kinds of information and applications. It has also created numerous changes in different aspects of their lives, including their identity and culture. In today's Iranian society, cyber networks have created a new situation for users and defined new boundaries with respect to the formation of youth's subcultures, values and identity. Anonymity, communication speed and fluidity of cyber networks have conveyed broad messages with regard to the communication patterns of youths (Zokaee, 2010: 2-3). Students are regarded as the biggest group of cyberspace users and audience. They become familiar with the cyberspace at university since they have access to the internet there. The cyberspace affects cognitive, emotional, cultural and practical orientation of students, influencing all aspects of their lives. This fact has led to putting the focus on the cultural identity of students exposed to the cyberspace. Given the pivotal role of cyber networks in changing the identity of youths, especially their cultural identity, the current study seeks to examine the relationship between exposure to the cyberspace and cultural identity of students at Isfahan University. The study will also examines the relationship between reasons and goals behind using cyber networks and the cultural identity of students. The research method is descriptive. The study population is consisted of all students of Isfahan University, of whom 200 individuals were selected using random sampling method. The questionnaire used for gathering information was made by the researcher herself and its validity and reliability was confirmed. The data was analyzed by SPSS software in descriptive and inferential fashions.Discussion of Results & The results of descriptive analysis show that research subjects visit the cyberspace 1-2 hours per week on average. Social, communicative, personal, and cultural goals are the main reasons for using cyber networks by the students. The inferential analysis of the study indicates that there is a significant relationship between using cyber networks and cultural identity of students. This finding could be attributed to the fact that a new type of life has taken shape in the cyberspace with the advent of the Internet, transforming communication methods and new social relationships (Barani, 2012). Another finding of the research indicates that there is a significant relationship between goals behind using cyber networks and cultural identity of students. Important goals for using cyber space are: social, communicational, personal and cultural. The results also reveal that a significant relationship exists between the motive for using cyber networks and cultural identity. Using demographic variables (age, gender, education degree), a significant relationship is observed between the cyberspace and cultural identity. Features of electronic communication in the cyberspace have created different conditions than face-to-face communication. Speed, anonymity, etc. have created equal conditions for cyberspace users disregarding their gender, class, ethnicity, race and location, providing them with different experiences. Interactions that take place in the cyberspace provide users with a new mentality and tendency that could slightly change their behavior and interactions in real life (Noormohammadi, 2004). So, it is suggested that relevant planners and managers identify the needs of youths, manage the cyberspace properly, and produce proper and healthy content in attractive formats fitting the needs of youths in virtual networks. Besides, proper cultural grounds should be provided so as to pave the way for students to use cyber networks for higher goals.