Social Consequences of Online Learning on Students: A Field Study in International High Schools in Erbil City

Abstract

The advancement of technology and digital devices has significantly influenced all aspects of human life, producing considerable effects on society in general. In particular, it has brought major transformations in the field of education. Youth, especially students, have deeply engaged with these changes, to the extent that education has come to be seen as an economic sector involving income and resources. This has led to both positive and negative social consequences.the aim of this study is to examine the social impacts of online learning on international high school students in Erbil. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using questionnaires as the primary tool for data collection. The research population includes all students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades of international high schools in Erbil. The sample size was determined using a stratified random sampling method, consisting of 325 students.the results indicate that online learning has both positive and negative social impacts on these students. While online education provides flexibility and accessibility, excessive screen time and reliance on digital devices have led to a decline in social interactions within families and peer groups, contributing to feelings of loneliness. The findings also show that in recent years, online learning has gained significant importance among students, with approximately 56.60% of them currently using and depending on it.