Explanation and Validation of a Model of Students’ Behavioral Patterns in Cyberspace Using a Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Keywords:
Cyberspace, Education, Media literacy, Mixed, methods research, Structural equation modeling, Student behavioral outcomes, Student behavioral patternsAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explain and validate a multidimensional model of students’ behavioral patterns in cyberspace and to examine the structural relationships among causal factors, contextual conditions, intervening factors, effective strategies, students’ behavior, and its consequences.
Methodology: This applied study employed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, grounded theory and semi-structured interviews with 15 experts in educational sciences, psychology, sociology, media studies, and educational technology were used to identify the dimensions and components of the model. In the quantitative phase, the resulting model was tested using a descriptive-survey design among 384 upper-secondary students in North Khorasan Province. Data were collected using a researcher-developed 106-item questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS-26 and SmartPLS-3 through confirmatory factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings: Structural model analysis indicated that causal factors (β=0.586, p<0.001), contextual conditions (β=0.435, p<0.001), intervening factors (β=0.878, p<0.001), and effective strategies (β=0.748, p<0.001) had significant positive effects on students’ behavior in cyberspace. Students’ behavior, in turn, had a strong and significant positive effect on consequences (β=0.938, p<0.001). The coefficient of determination was 0.966 for students’ behavior and 0.879 for consequences. The overall SRMR value was 0.065, indicating an acceptable fit of the structural model.
Conclusion: The validated model demonstrates that students’ behavioral patterns in cyberspace emerge from the simultaneous interaction of individual, familial, social, educational, and technological factors. Effective management of students’ digital behavior therefore requires a multilevel and integrated approach emphasizing family and school involvement, media literacy, self-control, self-awareness, critical thinking, and the development of purposeful and guided digital environments.
Downloads
References
Abdulmohamadi, K., Ghadiri, F., & Mohammadzadeh, A. (2023). Predicting Cyberbullying Based on Empathy, Moral Disengagement, and Anger Rumination in Adolescents. Social Psychology Research, 13(50), 15-30. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.soe.814
Bahrami, H. A., Jamshidi Mehr, P., & Abdipour, N. (2021). The Negative Effects of Cyberspace on the Educational Pattern of Students in the Post-Corona Era: Using Joseph Nye's Theory. Research in Humanities Education, 7(22), 23-38. https://sid.ir/paper/950556/fa
Bozzola, E., Spina, G., Agostiniani, R., Barni, S., Russo, R., Scarpato, E., & Staiano, A. (2022). The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(16), 9960. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169960
Burns, T., & Gottschalk, F. (2019). Educating 21st Century Children: Emotional Well-Being in the Digital Age. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/b7f33425-en
Fallah, S., & Narimani, M. (2020). Study of the Impact of Cyberspace on Social Behavior Patterns of High School Students in Tehran Third National Conference on Social Pathologies, Ardabil, Iran. https://civilica.com/doc/1369309
Goodarzi, Y., Akbari, M., & Karimi, K. (2025). The Effectiveness of Psychological Empowerment Package Based on Media Literacy Skills on Positive Development and Emotional Self-Awareness of Students with Behavioral Problems. Journal of Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, 2, 146-158. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.soe.814
Helsper, E. J. (2020). Digital Inequalities Amongst Digital Natives. In The Routledge Companion to Digital Media and Children (pp. 435-448). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2019.1698476
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A Systematic Review: The Influence of Social Media on Depression, Anxiety and Psychological Distress in Adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851
Kircaburun, K., Griffiths, M. D., & Billieux, J. (2020). Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Problematic Social Media Use Among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Body Image Dissatisfaction. International journal of mental health and addiction, 18(6), 1536-1547. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00054-x
Kolhar, M., Kazi, R. N. A., & Alameen, A. (2021). Effect of Social Media Use on Learning, Social Interactions, and Sleep Duration Among University Students. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 28(4), 2216-2222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.010
Leonhard, L., Wendt, R., & Riesmeyer, C. (2026). Being Literate, Behaving Literate? A Mixed-Methods Approach to Adolescents' Algorithm Literacy and Behavioral Strategies on Social Media. New Media & Society, 14614448261446589. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448261446589
Livingstone, S., & Stoilova, M. (2021). The 4Cs: Classifying Online Risk to Children. Journal of Children and Media, 15(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2020.1810708
Marino, C., Gini, G., Vieno, A., & Spada, M. M. (2018). A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis on Problematic Facebook Use. Computers in human Behavior, 83, 262-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.01.039
Megasari, I. I., Setiawan, M., & Nugraha, D. M. (2025). The Role of Civic Education in Cultivating Responsible Digital Communication Among Elementary School Students. e-BANGI Journal, 22(4). https://doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2025.2204.70
Nesi, J. (2020). The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities. North Carolina Medical Journal, 81(2), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.81.2.116
Odgers, C. L., & Jensen, M. R. (2020). Annual Research Review: Adolescent Mental Health in the Digital Age: Facts, Fears, and Future Directions. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(3), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13190
Orben, A., Przybylski, A. K., Blakemore, S. J., & Kievit, R. A. (2022). Windows of Developmental Sensitivity to Social Media. Nature Communications, 13, 1649. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29296-3
Pangrazio, L., & Sefton-Green, J. (2020). The Social Utility of 'Data Literacy'. Learning, Media and Technology, 45(2), 208-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2020.1707223
Rodríguez Castillo, N. E., Mendoza Carrera, J. E., Andrade-Vásquez, M. M., & Acosta-Barreno, K. (2026). Media Literacy Education and Misinformation in Social Media Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journalism and Media, 7(2), 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia7020071
Seif Derakhshandeh, S., Atadokht, A., Hajloo, N., & Mikaeili, N. (2021). Modeling Students' Tendency to Cyberspace Based on Individual, Contextual and Environmental Factors: Assessing Its Psychological Consequences. Journal of Educational Psychology Studies, 18(44), 135-153. https://doi.org/10.22111/jeps.2021.6635
Shannon, H., Bush, K., Villeneuve, P. J., Hellemans, K. G., & Guimond, S. (2022). Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Jmir Mental Health, 9(4), e33450. https://doi.org/10.21967/jmh.e33450
Sharei, A., & Moeinikia, M. (2023). Identifying Factors Affecting Students' Pathological Use of Cyberspace. Applied Educational Leadership, 4(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.22098/ael.2023.11900.1200
Smahel, D., Machackova, H., Mascheroni, G., Dedkova, L., Staksrud, E., Ólafsson, K., Livingstone, S., & Hasebrink, U. (2020). EU Kids Online 2020: Survey Results from 19 Countries. https://doi.org/10.21953/lse.47fdeqj01ofo
Ullah, R. S., Naz, M., e Alam, J., & Khan, A. U. (2024). The Role of Social Media in Shaping Adolescent Identities and Peer Relationships Within Educational Settings. Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), 13(3), 575-584. https://doi.org/10.61506/01.00539
Valkenburg, P. M., Meier, A., & Beyens, I. (2022). Social Media Use and Its Impact on Adolescent Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of the Evidence. Current opinion in psychology, 44, 58-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.017
Vargo, D., Zhu, L., Benwell, B., & Yan, Z. (2021). Digital Technology Use During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 3(1), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.242
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Abolfazl Mohammadi (Author); Mahboobeh Soleimanpour Omran; Roya Afrasiabi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
