en رويكرد تحليلي Analytical approach پژوهشي Original Research Article <font color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Objective</strong>: The widespread presence of students in Telegram virtual social networks (VSNs) has provided a unique opportunity to track the effects of using this medium on their academic failure and mental health. Accordingly, this study explores whether the use of social media has a relationship with educational decline and student mental health.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: This correlation study was conducted in high schools in Khaf City, Iran, in the 2018-2019 academic year and included 1250 students (550 girls and 700 boys) who were selected via simple stratified random sampling. The data collection tools comprised a researcher-made questionnaire on the use of Telegram VSNs and the Keyes (2005) model of mental health. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 22, and related tests.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Results</strong>: We found a significant relationship between the use of the Telegram network and educational decline. There is also a significant relationship between the use of the Telegram network and mental health. As the use of Telegram VSNs increases, there is an increase in fatigue in class and a reduction in study hours. Hence, this affects students&rsquo; educational decline directly and mental health adversely.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: We recommend that information about the positive and negative effects of Telegram VSNs should be provided to users, and measures should be taken in schools to introduce and create a culture and useful and scientific use of Telegram VSNs.</span></font> Social networks, Telegram, Educational decline, Students, Mental health 123 136 http://jpcp.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-918-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Naser Jangi Sangani naserjangisangani@gmail.com 0009-0002-1774-8130 No Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, Taybad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Taybad, Iran. Majid Reza Razavi drmrrazavi@gmail.com 0000-0003-1993-0745 Yes Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, Taybad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Taybad, Iran.