the Relationship between the Students' Company in Cyberspace and Risky Behaviors in Real Life and Cyberspace

Cyberspace allows individuals with common interests to find each other, interact and associate, and learn and reinforce behaviors that are as abnormal and risky. This space takes away the time, place, and social constraints governing the behavior and association of individuals, and it is unclear how much these virtual interactions affect the high-risk behaviors of the youths. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the individuals' association with cyberspace with high-risk behaviors in cyberspace and real life. In terms of its purpose this study is of an applied research type, and the study has been conducted with quantitative approach and survey method. A sample of 400 students from Shiraz University was selected using stratified sampling method and completed the questionnaire. The validity of the research was confirmed using face validity method and reliability of the scales was obtained using Cronbach's alpha test. Inferential findings show that there is a positive and significant correlation between the use of mobile phones, Internet and ultimately association in cyberspace and high-risk behaviors in cyberspace and real life. Also, multivariate regression analysis indicated that the association variable in cyberspace explains 37% of the variance of risky behaviors in cyberspace and real life. Cyberspace is not only an area for learning high-risk behaviors but also an environment for their emergence; the impact of cyber associations on risky behaviors (cyber and real life) is more than the companions in real space. The findings of this study point to the necessity of reviewing differential association theory with respect to the emerging cyber environment, and on the other hand, the need to pay more attention and supervision of families and law enforcement officials in preventing the harm and the risks of cyberspace.