The relationship between social networks addictions in terms of self-management and key variables: The case of Omani youngsters

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of and relationship between the use of Social Networking Sites (SNS) by Omani high school students in terms of time self-management and the following variables: gender, study achievement, information technology skills, education level of parents. Two high schools (one for boys and one for girls) in the District of Muscat, Oman were selected in accordance with the Ministry of Education preference as being highly evaluated public schools. A survey was conducted among 237 Omani high school students (118 males, 119 females), using a questionnaire which was developed based on the literature. Findings revealed that there were no significant differences between male and female students in using Social Networks in terms of their self-management. Results also exposed that there were no significant differences between students' scholastic achievement levels in using SNS related to self-management. However, the respondents' level of IT skills had an effect on their self-management while using the SNS applications. On the other hand, respondents' parent educational level had no effect on their self-management while using the SNS applications. The generalization of the study results would require a larger population and the replication of the study in different cultures. Additional research could help to provide a deeper explanation of some of the research findings. Based on the results of this study, future research in this area could be conducted to answer other questions such as those related to the symptoms of SNS addiction among high school students. Moreover as the findings of the study reached to a conclusion that there is a problem of misusing the social network sites by students, realizing the problem, then will help finding the solutions.