Analyzing the impact of social networks on social and emotional relationships between students and teachers

Background and Objectives: Today, cyberspace has become an integral part of human society and is highly popular among users, so that social networks play a vital and decisive role in the social and emotional relationships of individuals. The present study aims to study and investigate the use of social networks and its impact on the emotional and social relationships of student teachers. Accordingly, while utilizing the perspectives of scholars such as Castells, Wellman, Ilhokatz, etc., a review of research in this field was conducted and hypotheses were put forward. Methods: The statistical population of the study includes all student teachers working in education in Tehran province in the academic year 1402-1403. The research method is a survey and post-event type and the data collection tool is a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed in Google Forum, data were collected and analyzed in SPSS version 23 software. Findings: The results indicate that the highest level of use of messaging services is related to Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram, respectively, and the lowest level of use is related to Yes, Twitter and Facebook. The type and level of use of social networks has affected the pattern of real social and emotional relationships of student teachers and has to some extent shifted it in favor of the pattern of virtual social and emotional relationships. Conclusion: Student teachers' use of cyberspace has created the basis for new relationships and interactions of a virtual nature and will affect their attitudes and performance in the present and future..