Comparison of personality characteristics of social-networks user and non-user girl students in District 1 high schools in Sanandaj City, Iran

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is one of the most active and exciting times in the family life cycle. Access to cyberspace (telegram and instagram) for teenagers and young people is increasing day by day. One of the factors that can play a role in using the internet is personality traits. The purpose of the present study was to compare the personality characteristics of social networks' user and non-user female students of district 1 high schools in Sanandaj City, Iran. METHODS: The research was of a causal type with a practical purpose. The statistical population of the study consisted of all social networks' user and non-user female students of high schools in district 1 of Sanandaj City in the academic year of 2017-2018. In order to do this research, 123 female high school students who were social networks users and 123 social networks' non-user female high school students were selected randomly by random sampling. The tool used was HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (HEXACO-PI-R). The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using SPSS software. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the components of personality traits (honesty-humility, emotionality, extroversion, and openness to experience) (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: Since prevention is prior to treatment, considering the results of this study, this phenomenon should be considered as an important social issue. And through proper education, the culture of proper use of social network and its facilities replaces the wrong methods.