Religiosity and the Perceived Consequences of Social Media Usage in a Muslim Country

• This study sought to examine the relationship between religiosity and psychological consequences of social media usage in a Muslim country based on secularization theory. Using a sample of college undergraduates a survey was conducted which included measures of religiosity and a host of psychological outcomes, both positive and negative. Results showed that religiosity is negatively related to viewing social media as an alternative to face-to-face interaction, feelings of self-confidence, panic. There were significant gender differences in four of the five dependent variables. The results are largely consistent with secularization theory in that religiosity shielded individuals from negative consequences of social media usage while providing an alternative for positive ones.